Feasibility analysis of using MetaSoil scatterers on the attenuation of seismic amplification in a site with triangular hill due to SV-waves

Experimental and theoretical studies show an extra amplification in the site response near topographic irregularities due to seismic waves. The aim of this paper is to assess the implementation of a mass-in-mass periodic external isolator framework based on the concept of metamaterials, termed MetaSoil (MS) in order to reduce the seismic amplification on hills subjected to in-plane waves. A MS prepares a blind frequency zone, where the propagation of waves with this frequency content is excluded. The feasibility of using such systems considering various soil types, aspect ratio of the hill shapes, geometry of MS and excitation frequencies is investigated. In achieving this end, several two-dimensional models by adopting the finite element method and the wave propagation theory are analyzed using a time-history approach. The efficiency of this system is evaluated for each model, with results demonstrating up to 40% attenuation in the strong ground motions on the hills via the use of the proposed lattice.