Abstract:Foreland basin is a typical compressional basin. Its generation mechanism is similar to the mechanism of bending moment flexural deformation that is caused by fixing one end of an elastic plate and pressurizing the another end. Hence,we use flexural model of lithospheric elastic plate to estimate the lithospheric flexural subsidence which was caused by the loads of overthrust nappe and sedimentary formations,and to fit both the tectonic subsidence and the sediment thickness in foreland basin. The method offers an effective research means for geodynamic analysis of a foreland basin.