AbstractVacuum preloading is one of the effective technologies for consolidating soft foundation. The definition of vacuum preloading is presented and the research status of vacuum preloading is analyzed. The consolidation mechanism of vacuum preloading is explained also. Meanwhile, the computing methods of vacuum preloading are classified, the advantages and disadvantages of the axial symmetry consolidation theory, the half analysis theory of horizontal movement and the three dimension value solution, are evaluated. Especially the key Environmental problems of the vacuum preloading have been further investigated, such as theoretically probing into the change of ground water level according to the vacuum preloading mechanism, putting forward the specific measuring technology of ground water level in the actual vacuum preloading project. In addition, on the basis of analyzing the characteristics of vacuum preloading, application prospect of vacuum preloading is predicated, such as pointing out the development trend of vacuum combination surcharge preloading theory, the prospects of the application of vacuum-electroosmosis consolidation theory and under-water vacuum preloading theory, etc. Finally the reasonable advices on decreasing the environmental influence and improving the vacuum preloading work craft, equipments and finding the substitute materials, etc, are provided.