Locally Resonant Metamaterial Foundation for Masonry Structures: Prototype Design and Realization

In the framework of ongoing research on seismic metamaterials, this study presents a novel locally resonant metamaterial foundation for seismic base isolation of masonry structures. The foundation is conceived as an assembly of steel cells of circular shape, vertically stacked and mutually connected by circular steel laminated elastomeric bearings. The steel cell consists of a hollow steel cylinder, connected by a rubber ring to an annular steel ring, which acts as resonant unit oscillating in the horizontal plane. Elastic wave propagation analysis, performed on detailed 3D finite element model and on a simplified mass-spring model, demonstrates its effectiveness.