Abstract: The basic equations of tidal currents and waves and their similarity laws are discussed.The results obtained by the author in recent years in studying the basic laws of sediment transport under the action of tidal currents and waves are expounded.Based on these results, the similarity theory of physical modeling for suspended and bed load transport is developed. This similarity law gives special attention to the distortion model of total sediment transport.According to this similarity theory,the experimental study of total sediment transport under the joint action of tidal currents and waves in one model can be carried out.