Research conclusions ： Vacuum - mound preloading is a suitable method for treating soft soil foundation of high - speed railway with the characteristics of low cost, short construction period and making full use of embankment load, etc. The physical - mechanical properties of soft soil are improved much after consolidation with this method. However, when using this method, the attention should be paid to the influence of vacuum-mound preloading on the soft soil around， and to preventing the crack caused by the displacement and additional differential settlement. It is important to choose reasonable design and construction parameters while using this method because of its complex techniques.