(1.Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Huaiyin Institute of Technology (2. State Key Laboratory for Geomechenics and Deep Underground Engineering, China University of Mining & Technology, (3. Department of Construction Plan Examination of Huaian
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) is a kind of foam material which is made from styrene that suspended in water under the action of a dispersing agent, then polymerized by initiator and impregnated with liquid foaming agent. Tested in mining, roads, building and other projects, EPS is regarded as an ideal buffer material to reduce soil pressure due to its advantages like light weight, high compressibility, good stability, long durability, low moisture absorption, good heat insulation and preservation performance, etc. Based on the predecessors research, the density, durability, thermal stability, thermal conductivity as well as other physical and mechanical properties of EPS materials are summarized, and the loadreducing effects are analyzed emphatically when EPS materials are applied in the mine shaft wall, culvert under stacked soil and retaining structure. The loadreducing mechanism of EPS material has been illustrated according to energetics, soil arching effect and earth pressure theory. Finally, it puts forward that the studies on mechanical behaviors of EPS under high stresses, thermal performance of EPS in a complex environment, the rock(soil)EPSwall interaction and test verification of loadreducing effect of EPS materials are the main directions of further research.