Preliminary numerical study on the reduction of seismic pounding damage to buildings with expanded polystyrene blocks

•Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) blocks can reduce the number of damaged structural members and peaks of acceleration during seismic pounding.•EPS blocks with any foaming ratio or thickness are similarly effective as shock absorbers between buildings.•Using the plateau region in the EPS material does not necessarily increase the shock-absorbing effect.•EPS blocks with a lower foaming ratio may be appropriate for actual use, with most of them acting as elastic dampers.