The　circle　detection　effect,　algorithm　application　range　and　calculation　efficiency　of　different　circle　detection　algorithms　were　analysed　comparatively.　Base　on　the　circle　detection　algorithms,　a　vision-based　dynamic　displacement　test　method　was　developed　and　applied　to　large-scale　shaking　table　tests.　The　results　show　that:　both　Hough　transform　circle　detection　algorithm　and　optimal　fitting　circle　detection　algorithm　have　good　performance　in　circle　parameters　detection.　The　Hough　transform　circle　detection　algorithm　is　more　suitable　for　testing　under　such　operation　conditions　in　which　the　test　background　is　simple　or　with　the　need　of　identifying　multiple　target　circles　at　once.　The　optimal　fitting　circle　detection　method　is　more　suitable　for　testing　under　such　operation　conditions　in　which　the　test　background　is　complex.　By　applying　the　vision-based　displacement　testing　method　to　large-scale　shaking　table　tests,　the　deformation　of　a　model　of　soil　foundation　was　tested.　The　method　proposed　can　effectively　solve　the　problem　of　displacement　testing　in　complex　test　conditions.　©,　2015,　Chinese　Vibration　Engineering　Society.　All　right　reserved.