Homogeneous horizontal and vertical seismic barriers: mathematical foundations and dimensional analysis

The concept of a vertical barrier embedded in soil to protect from seismic waves of the Rayleigh type is discussed. Horizontal barriers are also analyzed. The principle idea for such a barrier is to reflect and scatter energy of an oncoming wave by the barrier, thus decreasing the amplitude of surface vibrations beyond the barrier. Numerical FE simulations of a plane model are presented and discussed.