applied
sciences
Article
Radial Gradient Seismic Metamaterials with Ultra-Low
Frequency and Ultra-Wide Band Gap
Qian Yang, Kun Su , Lixia Li * , Yan Li and Jin Bai
Citation: Yang, Q.; Su, K.; Li, L.; Li,
Y.; Bai, J. Radial Gradient Seismic
Metamaterials with Ultra-Low
Frequency and Ultra-Wide Band Gap.
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13, 9284. https://
doi.org/10.3390/app13169284
Academic Editor: Alberto Corigliano
Received: 13 July 2023
Revised: 7 August 2023
Accepted: 11 August 2023
Published: 16 August 2023
Copyright: © 2023 by the authors.
Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
This article is an open access article
distributed under the terms and
conditions of the Creative Commons
Attribution (CC BY) license (https://
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/
4.0/).
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13, 9284. https://doi.org/10.3390/app13169284
School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology,
Xi’an 710055, China; yangqian@xauat.edu.cn (Q.Y.); sk@xauat.edu.cn (K.S.); 3553598128@xauat.edu.cn (Y.L.)
* Correspondence: jieli_18@163.com
Abstract: In this paper, a radial gradient seismic metamaterial (RGSM) is proposed. The structural
unit cell is composed of an external square soil embedded with a triangular-cross-sectioned steel
ring, which is filled at different angles of multiple steel rings to form a supercell. The dispersion
curve and attenuation spectrum of the unit cell are calculated by the finite element method, and the
opening mechanism of the band gap is explained by analyzing the modes at the band gap boundary.
The influence of geometric parameters and material parameters on the band gap is further studied,
and the optimized supercell radial gradient seismic metamaterial (OS-RGSM) structure is designed
through structure and parameter optimization. The ultra-low broadband excellent band gap in the
range of 2.35–20 Hz for seismic Lamb waves is realized, and its three-dimensional frequency response
and displacement field diagram are calculated. In addition, the attenuation characteristics of the
optimized supercell seismic metamaterial on the seismic surface wave are calculated and analyzed. It
is found that the attenuation can reach more than 50% in the ultra-low frequency range of 3.5–9 Hz.
The seismic wave barrier is verified by the vibration transmission characteristics of RGSM under
finite period and dynamic time history analysis. The results show that RGSM can effectively shield
from seismic Lamb waves in the ultra-wideband with the starting frequency of 2.35 Hz and can also
effectively attenuate the seismic surface wave in semi-infinite space.
Keywords: radial seismic metamaterials; supercell method; ultra-low frequency broadband; graded
metamaterial
1. Introduction
Earthquakes are one of the most catastrophic natural disasters, and the spread of
seismic sources causes significant damage to structures, further leading to consumption
and damage to various aspects of social resources [1–3]. Seismic metamaterial, as an
artificial structure that attenuates seismic waves, can generate a band gap corresponding to
the seismic frequency, providing a new idea for building protection [4–6].
Seismic surface waves have the characteristics of large amplitude, long propagation
distance, and low frequency, which cause great harm to buildings. For a long time, the
research on seismic metamaterial has focused on surface waves [7,8]. Seismic Lamb waves
are ignored as another form of seismic wave propagation. Research has found that in cases
of near-surface earthquakes, the propagation of Lamb waves is particularly important
for damage to buildings [9], usually dominating the seismic records of local and regional
events [10]. Therefore, in the design of seismic metamaterial, not only the isolation design of
surface waves but also the shielding characteristics of lamb waves should be studied [11,12].
Du et al. [13] studied the shielding effect of periodic concrete structures on seismic
Lamb waves, determined the blocking effect of periodic structures on Lamb waves, and
confirmed the existence of low-frequency band gaps. However, there is still a narrow
range of shock absorption. Mesegue et al. [14] used triangular and honeycomb periodic
arrays to drill holes on marble to form a metamaterial structure, which verified that this
https://www.mdpi.com/journal/applsci
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13, 9284 2 of 17

structure can generate band gaps and can be used to attenuate Lamb waves in seismic
waves. Hong Kim et al. [15] developed a new seismic isolation method, proposed a method
of applying metamaterials to the field of seismic isolation, and designed a hollow cylinder
as an earthquake metamaterial wave barrier. The structure does not contact the protected
building, which can effectively convert the energy of the earthquake’s Lamb waves into heat
energy for dissipation. However, at present, the Lamb band gap of seismic metamaterials
is still narrow, and the engineering application is limited. Radial metamaterials are widely
used in various fields of vibration isolation and noise reduction because of their excellent
band gap characteristics and omnidirectional shielding [16–19]. Li et al. [20] introduced
radial metamaterials into seismic metamaterials, proposed radial seismic metamaterials,
studied the propagation characteristics of seismic Lamb waves and surface waves, and
obtained a wide band gap.
Gradient design is applied to metamaterial [21–23], showing diversified character-
istics. Lin et al. [24] designed a two-dimensional gradient refractive index phononic
crystal, indicating that gradient refractive structures can perform acoustic focusing over
a wide operating frequency range. Ma et al. [25] designed a functional gradient material
pipeline structure and found that functionally gradient materials can effectively regulate
the bandgap characteristics of classical periodic structures. The biggest advantage of gradi-
ent arrangement is that it can manipulate the transmission of elastic waves over a wide
frequency range [21,22]. Liu et al. [26] put forward that the arrangement is the seismic
metamaterial with gradient burial depth. The transmission spectrum of its finite structure
shows that it has better isolation effect on surface waves in a wider band gap. However,
the dispersion curve of the graded seismic metamaterial structure has not been calculated
and studied, and the mechanism of band gap widening has not been analyzed.
Supercells are composed of several cells with different parameters. The method of
calculating the electronic band structure based on the periodic structure of supercells
is called supercells method [27]. Zhao et al. [27] proposed a supercell phononic crystal
plate composed of dual oscillator units and single oscillator units. The research results
indicate that the frequency of this structure can be better applied to low-frequency regions.
Yuan et al. [28] validated the characteristic of adjusting the bandgap of supercell structure
by designing a supercell phononic crystal plate and obtained a wide and low-frequency
bandgap. Young et al. [29] designed a 45◦ rotating supercell and achieved band gap
optimization. In addition, the idea of realizing multi-resonant modes or achieving the
best results by changing the parameters is also applied to the control of electromagnetic
waves [30,31]. The supercell method provides a possibility for studying the mechanism of
widening bandgap using periodic gradient arrangement.
In this paper, the gradient idea is applied to the design of radial seismic metamaterial,
and its low-frequency broadband characteristics and mechanism are analyzed and studied
with supercell method. Firstly, the dispersion curve and attenuation spectrum of the radial
gradient seismic metamaterial (RGSM) single-cell structure are calculated using finite
element software, and the mode at the boundary of the band gap is analyzed. The influence
of geometric parameters and material parameters on the band gap is further studied. The
optimized supercell seismic metamaterial structure is designed through structure and
parameter optimization, and its three-dimensional frequency response and displacement
field diagram are calculated for analysis and verification. Finally, the attenuation effect of a
radial gradient supercell seismic metamaterial on seismic surface waves is studied using a
three-dimensional model and is verified in time domain.

2. Materials and Methods

The propagation of seismic waves can be described by the propagation of elastic waves
in inhomogeneous media. Assuming that the seismic wave propagates along the radial
mid-plane of the structure, the governing equations can be written as:
..
ρ(r ) u (r ) = ∇{[λ(r ) + 2µ(r )](∇·u(r )) − ∇ × [µ(r ) × u(r )] (1)
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13, 9284 3 of 17

where u(r) represents the displacement vector; ρ(r) denotes the mass density; λ(u), µ(r)
are the Lamb wave constants of the material. Due to the particularity of the structure,
Equation (1) is extended to cylindrical coordinates. At this time, the wave equation can be
rewritten as:
∂w0

2 ∂wz0


 ρ ∂∂t2u = (λ + 2µ) ∂θ
∂r
t
− 2µ
r ∂θ + 2µ ∂θθ

2 0 ∂wr0
ρ ∂∂t2v = (λ + 2µ) r∂θ
∂θt
− 2µ ∂w z
∂θ + 2µ ∂r
(2)

 2 2µ 2µ 0
 ρ ∂ w = (λ + 2µ) ∂θt − 0 ∂wr
 ∂


∂t2 ∂z r ∂r rwθ + r ∂θ

where u, v, and w are the displacement components of the rectangular coordinate system; ρ
is the density; t is the time; λ and µ are the elastic wave constants of the material; and r, θ,
and z are the coordinates in the cylindrical coordinate system.
In addition, the volume strain θt and the rotational component (wr0 ,wθ0 , wz0 ) in the
cylindrical coordinate system are defined as follows:

∂(ru)
 θt = 1r ∂r + 1r ∂v


∂w
∂θ ∂z
 
 wr0 = 12 1r ∂w 1 ∂v

∂θ + r ∂z


  (3)
 w 0 = 1 1 ∂u + ∂w


 θ 2 r ∂θ ∂r
  
 wz0 = 1 1 ∂(rv) + ∂u


2 r ∂θ ∂θ

According to Bloch’s theorem, the infinite periodic radial lattice unit can be simpli-
fied to a single lattice unit, and the boundary conditions of the lattice can be expressed
as follows:
u(r + r a , z) = u(r, z)eikr ra (4)
where a is the lattice constant, r is the radial position vector, and Kr represents the Bloch
radial wave vector. Here, the Floquet periodic boundary condition is applied to the
boundary connection of the unit cell. The top and bottom surfaces of the unit cell are free
boundary conditions, that is, there is no reflection component on the surface.

3. The Radial Gradient Seismic Metamaterial Structure

3.1. Unit Cell Model
The radial gradient seismic metamaterial (RGSM) structure designed in this paper
is periodically arranged around the building to be protected along the radial direction,
forming a seismic metamaterial barrier. The unit cell lattice structure is shown in Figure 1a;
a represents the length of its unit lattice, b represents the length of the side length of the
filler, and the three sides of the cross section of the filler are equal and located in the center
of the square structure. Its three-dimensional structure is composed of a radial section
rotating around the central axis as shown in Figure 1b; Figure 1c shows the formation
of its three-dimensional structure more intuitively. The triangular cross-section radial
metamaterial unit cell is composed of an external square soil frame nested with an internal
triangular cross-section steel ring and placed on the soil surface. The surface is the same
height as the surface of the surrounding soil layer, as shown in Figure 1d,e.
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13, x9284
FOR PEER REVIEW 4 4of
of 17
17

b
a Z
a

Z
R
Z R1 R2 -π/a 0 π/a
a kr
R Γ R
(a) (b) (c)
Seismic Seismic
surface surface
wave wave

Seismic
Seismic
lamb
lamb Seismic Seismic
wave
wave lamb surface
building
wave wave
Seismic
surface Seismic
wave surface
wave
Seismic Seismic
lamb lamb
wave wave
(d) (e)
Figure 1. Triangular
Figure 1. Triangular cross
cross−section
−section radial
radial seismic
seismic metamaterial
metamaterial structure.
structure. (a)
(a) Lattice
Lattice structure
structure and
and
BZ
BZ wave vector in reciprocal space; (b) three−dimensional periodic structure; (c) the formation
wave vector in reciprocal space; (b) three−dimensional periodic structure; (c) the formation of
of
radial seismic metamaterial structure; (d) periodic array model; (e) arrangement of radial seismic
radial seismic metamaterial structure; (d) periodic array model; (e) arrangement of radial seismic
metamaterials in soil.
metamaterials in soil.

The
The yellow
yellow area
area in
in the
the figure
figure is
is soil,
soil, and
and the
the gray
gray area
area is
is steel.
steel. According
According to to the
the survey
survey
data
data of different earthquakes, the corresponding wavelength of seismic waves varies from
of different earthquakes, the corresponding wavelength of seismic waves varies from
hundreds
hundreds of ofmeters
meterstotoseveral
severalmeters.
meters. Therefore,
Therefore,thethe
unitunit
cell cell
structure withwith
structure a lattice con-
a lattice
stant of 4 m studied in this chapter is almost one 20th of the wavelength
constant of 4 m studied in this chapter is almost one 20th of the wavelength of seismic of seismic waves.
The geometric
waves. parameters
The geometric of the unit
parameters of thecell arecell
unit lattice constant
are lattice 𝑎 = 4 am=and
constant 4 mtriangle side
and triangle
length 𝑏 = 3 m. In order to effectively control the project cost, the building
side length b = 3 m. In order to effectively control the project cost, the building materials materials
used
used in
in this
this structure
structure are
are soil
soil and
and steel.
steel. The
The materials
materials used
used are
are assumed
assumed to tobe
belinear
linearelastic,
elastic,
homogeneous
homogeneous and and isotropic.
isotropic. TheThe material
material parameters
parameters of of the
the barrier
barrier unit
unit model
model areare soil
soil
density ρ𝜌s = = 1800
1800kg/m
kg/m3 ;; Young’s modulusEs𝐸= =
Young’smodulus 2×
2× 10710Pa;Pa; Poisson’s
Poisson’s υs =𝜐0.3.
ratioratio = 0.3.
The
The density
density ρc =𝜌7784
of steel
of steel = 7784
kg/mkg/m3 ; Yung’s
; Yung’s Ec = 𝐸2.07
modulus
modulus = 2.07
× 1011× Pa;
10 Poisson’s
Pa; Poisson’s
ratio
ratio 𝜐
υc = 0.3. = 0.3.

Band Gap
3.2. Band Gap and
and Mechanism
Mechanism Analysis
The finite element software COMSOL
The COMSOL Multiphysics
Multiphysics 5.5 5.5 was
was used
used to simulate the
RGSM structure,
structure, and
and the
the calculation
calculation results
results are
are shown
shown inin the
theband
bandstructure
structureof ofFigure
Figure2a.
2a.
It can be observed from the figure that there are three complete band gaps
It can be observed from the figure that there are three complete band gaps below 20 Hz, below 20 Hz,
and the
and the frequency
frequency ranges
ranges of of the
the band
band gaps
gaps are
are 5.3484–13.882
5.3484–13.882 Hz,Hz, 15.016–15.274
15.016–15.274 Hz, Hz, and
and
18.488–20
18.488 Hz,Hz,
Hz–20 respectively.
respectively.In In
order
ordertoto
further
furtherverify
verifythe
theshielding
shielding effect
effect of triangular
of triangular
cross-section radial
cross-section radialseismic
seismicmetamaterials
metamaterials onon
LambLambwaves,
waves,we calculated the incident
we calculated wave
the incident
wave frequency response curve of the nine-cycle radial periodic structure, as shown 2b.
frequency response curve of the nine-cycle radial periodic structure, as shown in Figure in
The attenuation
Figure domain indomain
2b. The attenuation the frequency response curve
in the frequency responseis basically consistent
curve is basically with the
consistent
bandthe
with gapband
range in range
gap the energy
in theband curve.
energy band curve.
Appl.
Appl.Sci.
Sci.2023,
2023,13,
13,x 9284
xFOR
FORPEER
PEERREVIEW
REVIEW 5 5of
5ofof1717

2020 2020
AA5 5
AA4 4
1515 1515
AA3 3
Frequency (Hz)

AA2 2
Frequency (Hz)

Frequency (Hz)
Frequency (Hz)
1010 1010

55 55
AA1 1

00 00
ΓΓ RR -100
-100 -80
-80 -60
-60 -40
-40 -20
-20
Reduced
Reducedwave vectorka/π
wavevector ka/π Transmission
Transmission(dB)
(dB)
(a)
(a) (b)
(b)
Figure 2. (a) Dispersion curve of triangular cross−section unit cell structure; (b) Attenuation
Figure
Figure2.2.(a)
(a)Dispersion
Dispersioncurve
curveofoftriangular
triangularcross−section
cross−sectionunit
unitcell
cellstructure;
structure;(b)
(b)Attenuation
Attenuationspec-
spec-
spectrum.
trum.
trum.
In order to explore the generation mechanism of the band gap, the vibration modes at
InInorder
several order
specialtotopoints
explore
explore inthe
thegeneration
generation
band structure mechanism
mechanism
diagram ofofare
the band
bandgap,
thecalculated,gap,the
asthe vibration
vibration
shown modes
modes
in Figure 3.atat
It
several
several
can special
be seenspecial points
from points in the band
in thethat
the figure band structure
thestructure diagram
vibrationdiagram are
mode ofare calculated,
calculated,
point as shown
as shown
A1 is mainly in Figure
in Figure
the axial 3.
vibration3.ItIt
can
of bebeseen
canthe seenfrom
steel ringthe
from thefigure
in figure
the that
unit,that the
andthevibration
vibration
the mode
soil acts as of
mode ofpoint
the point A1
matrix. A1isThe
ismainly
mainly
mode the
the axial
of A2 vibration
axial isvibration
mainly
ofmanifested
the steel ring
of the steel ring in
as thethe unit,
vibration
in the and the
unit, andofthe soil
the acts
soil
soil as the
actsinasthe matrix.
theunit The
cell.The
matrix. mode
The of A2
vibration
mode is mainly
of A2 isofmainly manifested
the upper soil is
manifested
aswavy
the vibration of the soil in the unit cell. The vibration of the upper
as the vibration of the soil in the unit cell. The vibration of the upper soil is wavy fromtime.
from the outer soil to the inner soil, and the steel layer remains soil is
stationarywavy atfrom
this the
the
outer
The
outerA3soil to
soilmodethe inner
to theisinner soil,
mainly and the
soil,manifested steel
and the steel layer
aslayer remains
bottom stationary
and inner
remains at this
vibration,
stationary time.
at this and The
time.the The A3
steelmode
layerisis
A3 mode
mainly
still
mainly manifested
relatively
manifested asasbottom
static. A4 and and
bottom A3and inner
have
inner vibration,
the and
andthe
same vibration
vibration, steel
steellayer
themode. isisstill
Compared
layer stillrelatively
to static.
the vibration
relatively static.
A4 and
state
A4 and A3
under have
A3 the
have the
A3the same
mode,samethevibration
vibration
vibration mode. Compared
intensity
mode. to the
at the bottom
Compared vibration state
of the unitstate
to the vibration under
under theA3
cell under the A4
A3
mode,
mode,the
mode is
the vibration
vibrationintensity
weaker. intensityatatthe thebottom
bottomofofthe theunit
unitcell
cellunder
underthetheA4 A4mode modeisisweaker.
weaker.
1 1
1 1

ZZ ZZ
ZZ ZZ
0 RR
1 RR 0 R1
0 R1 RR
0 1 2
2
2
2
RR RR
(a) (b)
(b)
(a)

1 1
1 1

ZZ ZZ
ZZ RR ZZ
0 1
1 RR
2 0
0
RR
1
1 RR
2
0 2 2
RR RR
(c)
(c) (d)
(d)
Figure
Figure3.3.
The RGSM modal diagram of the unit cell at a aspecial point; (a) the vibration mode atatpoint
Figure 3. The
The RGSM
RGSM modal
modal diagram
diagram ofof the
the unit
unit cell
cell at
at a special
special point;
point; (a)
(a) the
the vibration
vibration mode
mode at point
point
A1;
A1;(b)
(b)vibration
vibrationmode
modeat
atpoint
pointA2;
A2;(c) vibration
(c) vibrationmode
mode at
atpoint
pointA3; (d)
A3; (d)vibration
vibration mode
mode atatpoint
pointA4.
A4.
A1; (b) vibration mode at point A2; (c) vibration mode at point A3; (d) vibration mode at point A4.
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 6 of 17

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13, 9284 6 of 17

3.3. The Effect of Filling Angle on the Band Gap
For further research and analysis, the low-frequency broadband characteristics of
3.3.
Lamb Thewaves
Effect generated
of Filling Angle on the Band
by RGSM. UnderGap the condition that other parameters remain un-
changed, we analyze the influence of the filling
For further research and analysis, the low-frequency angle on the band gap. The
broadband angle in Figure
characteristics of
4a is 0 degrees, and the band gap characteristics are analyzed
Lamb waves generated by RGSM. Under the condition that other parameters from the special angles of 0
remain
degrees, 45 degrees,
unchanged, we analyze 90 degrees, and 270
the influence degrees.
of the fillingFrom
angleFigure
on the4,band
it cangap.
be observed
The anglethat in
the first
Figure 4aband gap willand
is 0 degrees, change due gap
the band to different filling are
characteristics angles. As shown
analyzed from thein Figure
special 4a, the
angles
starting
of frequency
0 degrees, and ending
45 degrees, frequency
90 degrees, and 270ofdegrees.
the firstFrom
bandFigure
gap are
4, it5.3484
can beHz and 13.882
observed that
Hz,first
the respectively;
band gapthe starting
will change and
dueending frequencies
to different fillingofangles.
the firstAs
band
shown gapin shown
Figure in4a,
Figure
the
4b are 5.28561
starting frequency Hzandandending
14.025frequency
Hz, respectively.
of the firstThe starting
band gap arefrequency
5.3484 Hzand andending
13.882 fre-
Hz,
respectively;
quency of thethe starting
first band gapandshown
endinginfrequencies
Figure 4c are of the firstHz
5.4536 band
andgap shown
14.19 in Figure 4b
Hz, respectively.
are
The5.28561
startingHz and 14.025
frequency andHz, respectively.
cutoff frequency Theofstarting
the firstfrequency
band gapand shownending frequency
in Figure of
4d are
the firstHz
5.2493 band
andgap shown
14.285 Hz,inrespectively.
Figure 4c areThe 5.4536 Hz andmodes
vibration 14.19 Hz, respectively.
of the The starting
band gap terminal are
frequency
consistent,and whichcutoff
arefrequency of theoffirst
the vibration the band
steel gap
ringshown
and the invibration
Figure 4dof arethe
5.2493 Hz and
soil ring re-
14.285 Hz, respectively. The vibration modes of the band gap terminal are consistent, which
spectively.
are the vibration of the steel ring and the vibration of the soil ring respectively.

20 20

15 15
Frequency (Hz)

Frequency (Hz)

45°
b
a
a

10 10

a Z a
5
Z 5
R
R

0 0
Γ R Γ R
Reduced wave vector ka/π Reduced wave vector ka/π
(a) (b)
20 20

15 15
Frequency (Hz)
Frequency (Hz)

90°
a a 270°
10 10
b b
a a
Z
5 5
R R

0 0
Γ R Γ R
Reduced wave vector ka/π Reduced wave vector ka/π
(c) (d)

Figure 4. Effects of different filling angles on the band gap; (a) the rotation angle of the internal
Figure 4. Effects of different filling angles on the band gap; (a) the rotation angle of the internal
triangle filler is 0◦ ; (b) the rotation angle of the internal triangle filler is 45◦ ; (c) the rotation angle of
triangle filler is 0°; (b) the rotation ◦
angle of the internal triangle filler is 45°; (c) the rotation angle of
the
the internal
internal triangular
triangular filler
filler is
is 90
90°;; (d)
(d) the
the rotation
rotation angle
angle of
of the
the internal
internal triangle
triangle filler
fillerisis270.
270.
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 7 of 17
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13, 9284 7 of 17

3.4. The Effect of Filling Rate on Band Gap

3.4. The Effect of Filling
In addition, underRate on Band of
the premise Gapthe same properties of the filling material, we stud-
ied the In addition,
influenceunder of thethe premise
filling rateofonthethe
samebandproperties
gap. Forofthe the filled
fillingsteel
material,
ring,we thestudied
band
the influence
calculation is of the filling
carried rate onthe
out when thecross-sectional
band gap. For the sidefilled steel
length b2ring,
is 2 the
m, band
2.5 m,calculation
3 m, and
is carried
3.5 out when
m, as shown the cross-sectional
in Figure 5a. For the unitside celllength
with a b2 is 2 m, 2.5 m,
cross-sectional 3 m,
side and b2
length 3.5=m, as
2 m,
shown
the in Figure
initial frequency 5a. For
andthe unitfrequency
cutoff cell with aof cross-sectional
the first bandside arelength
5.2476b2 Hz= and
2 m, 9.625
the initial
Hz,
frequency and
respectively; thecutoff frequency
initial frequency of and
the first band
cut-off are 5.2476
frequency of Hz
theandfirst9.625
bandHz, respectively;
of the unit cell
with a side length of b2 = 2.5 m are 5.1766 Hz and 11.651 Hz, respectively, aswith
the initial frequency and cut-off frequency of the first band of the unit cell showna sidein
length of b2 = 2.5 m are 5.1766 Hz and 11.651 Hz, respectively,
Figure 5b. The initial frequency and cutoff frequency of the first band of the unit cell with as shown in Figure 5b.
aThe
sideinitial
length frequency
of b2 = 3and m showncutoff in
frequency
Figure 5cofare the5.3484
first band
Hz and of the
13.882unitHz,
cellrespectively.
with a side
length
The of b2
initial and= 3cut-off
m shown in Figure of
frequencies 5c the
are first
5.3484 Hz and
band of the13.882
unit Hz,
cell respectively. The initial
with the cross-section
side length b2 = 3.5 m shown in Figure 5d are 5.7752 Hz and 15.376 Hz, respectively.length
and cut-off frequencies of the first band of the unit cell with the cross-section side It can
b2 observed
be = 3.5 m shown in Figure
that with 5d arein
the change 5.7752 Hz and 15.376
the equivalent Hz, respectively.
stiffness of the structure It can be observed
caused by the
that withof
increase thethechange
fillinginrate,
the equivalent
the boundary stiffness
of theof the
band structure
gap movescaused tobythethe increase
high of the
frequency
filling rate, the boundary of the band gap moves to the high
direction, and the height of the sound ray increases with the increase in the equivalent frequency direction, and the
height of the sound ray increases with the increase in the equivalent
stiffness. It is worth noting that the starting frequency of the first band gap almost does stiffness. It is worth
noting
not thatand
change the that
starting frequency
the cutoff of the of
frequency first
theband gap almost
first band does notsignificantly
gap increases change andwith that
the cutoff frequency of the first band gap increases significantly
the increase of the filling rate, resulting in a significant increase in the width of the first with the increase of the
band gap, while the second, third, and fourth band gaps gradually move to more thanthe
filling rate, resulting in a significant increase in the width of the first band gap, while 20
second, third, and fourth band gaps gradually move to more than 20 Hz with the change in
Hz with the change in structural parameters.
structural parameters.

20 20

15 15
Frequency (Hz)
Frequency (Hz)

10 10
b2 b2
a
a

5
a
5 a
Z Z
R R
0 0
Γ R Γ R
Reduced wave vector ka/π Reduced wave vector ka/π
(a) (b)
20 20

15 15
Frequency (Hz)
Frequency (Hz)

b2 b2
10 10
a
a

a a
5
Z Z
5
R R

0 0
Γ R Γ R
Reduced wave vector ka/π Reduced wave vector ka/π
(c) (d)

Figure 5. The effect of filling rate on the band gap of triangular structure. (a) The side length of the
Figure 5. The effect of filling rate on the band gap of triangular structure. (a) The side length of the
inner triangular
inner triangular filler
fillerisis22m;m;(b)
(b)the side
the length
side of the
length inner
of the triangular
inner fillerfiller
triangular is 2.5ism;2.5
(c)m;
the(c)
side
thelength
side
of the inner triangular filler is 3 m; (d) the side length of the internal triangular filler is
length of the inner triangular filler is 3 m; (d) the side length of the internal triangular filler is 3.5 m.3.5 m.
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 8 of 17
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13, 9284 8 of 17

3.5.
3.5. The
TheInfluence
Influence ofof Material
Material Parameters
Parameters on on Band
Band Gap
Gap
In
In order to further study the band gap characteristics of
order to further study the band gap characteristics of the
the triangular
triangular structure,
structure, thethe
band
band gap of the structure under different material parameters is calculated.general,
gap of the structure under different material parameters is calculated. In the
In general,
Young’s
the Young’smodulus
modulusof soil
of varies in the
soil varies in range
the range of 10–90 MPa,MPa,
of 10–90 and and
the mass
the massdensity of soil
density of
varies in the range of 1600– 2200 kg/m . In the
3 calculation, following
soil varies in the range of 1600–2200 kg/m . In the calculation, following the control the control variable
method, the Young’s
variable method, modulusmodulus
the Young’s and material density density
and material change change
respectively, and other
respectively, andmate-
other
rial and geometric
material and geometricparameters
parametersremain unchanged.
remain unchanged.The The
calculation results
calculation are are
results shown
shown in
Figure
in Figure6a,b. TheThe
6a,b. results show
results show that asas
that thetheYoung’s
Young’smodulus
modulusofofthe thesoil
soil increases
increases from
from
10MPa
10 MPatoto90 90MPa,
MPa,the thefirst
firstband
bandgap gapincreases
increasesrapidly
rapidlyand
andmoves
movestotoaahigher
higherfrequency,
frequency,
and the second band gap shows the same
and the second band gap shows the same trend as the trend as the first band gap. Compared
Compared to to the
the
Young’s
Young’s modulus, the change of mass density has less influence on the band gap. As the
modulus, the change of mass density has less influence on the band gap. As the
mass
mass density
density increases,
increases, the
the first
first band
band gap
gap gradually
gradually narrows,
narrows, the
the center
center frequency
frequency of of the
the
second
second band
band gap
gap gradually
gradually decreases,
decreases, and and itsits width
width gradually
gradually narrows.
narrows. Therefore,
Therefore, whenwhen
optimizing
optimizing the the structure, we can consider
consider adjusting
adjusting the
theparameters
parametersof ofthe
thesoil
soiltotoachieve
achievea
amore
moreflexible
flexibleeffect
effectofofadjusting
adjustingthe theband
bandgap. gap.

30

50

25

40
Frequency (Hz)

Frequency(Hz)

20

30

15

20

10

10

0
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000 2100 2200
Es (MPa) ρs (kg/m3)
(a) (b)

Figure 6.
Figure Therelationship
6. The relationshipbetween
betweenthe
thematerial
materialparameters
parametersof ofsoil
soiland
andthe
theband
bandgap gapcharacteristics.
characteristics.
(a) The
(a) The change
change inin band
band gap
gap characteristics
characteristics with
with the
the elastic
elastic modulus
modulusof of soil;
soil; (b)
(b) the
the change
change in
in band
band
gap characteristics
gap characteristics with
with soil
soil density.
density.

4. Radial Gradient Seismic Metamaterial Structure after Optimization of Supercell

4. Radial Gradient Seismic Metamaterial Structure after Optimization of Supercell
In order to further broaden the band gap range of RGSM, we designed an optimized
In order to further broaden the band gap range of RGSM, we designed an optimized
supercell radial gradient seismic metamaterial (OS-RGSM) based on the research conclusion
supercell radial gradient seismic metamaterial (OS-RGSM) based on the research conclu-
of the influence of the unit cell structure parameters of RGSM on the band gap. The
sion of the influence of the unit cell structure parameters of RGSM on the band gap. The
unit cells with three different filling angles are composed of supercells, and the material
unit cells with three different filling angles are composed of supercells, and the material
parameters of the connecting soil between the cells are designed as gradient arrangement.
parameters of the connecting soil between the cells are designed as gradient arrangement.
The two-dimensional cross section of OS-RGSM is shown in Figure 7a. The spatial lattice
The two-dimensional
structure cross section
formed by rotating of OS-RGSM iscross
its two-dimensional shown in Figure
section around 7a.the
Thez-axis
spatial lattice
is shown
structure
in Figure formed by rotating
7b. Taking its two-dimensional
the three-period cross
as an example, section
a finite around
number the z-axisoptimized
of supercell is shown
in Figure 7b. Taking the three-period as an example, a finite number
structures are embedded in the soil matrix along the radial period and arranged around of supercell opti-
mized structures are embedded in the soil matrix along the radial period
the sensitive buildings in the center, as shown in Figure 7c. The material parameters used and arranged
around the sensitive
in the figure buildings
are as follows: in density
soil the center, as 1800
ρs = shown in Figure
kg/m 7c. Theratio
3 ; Poisson’s material
υs = parame-
0.3. The
ters used in the figure are as follows:
3 soil density 𝜌 = 1800 kg/m
density of steel ρc = 7784 kg/m ; Young’s modulus Ec = 2.07 × 10 Pa; Poisson’s ; Poisson’s
11 ratio 𝜐ratio
=
0.3.
υ The density of steel 𝜌 = 7784 kg/m ; Young’s modulus 𝐸 = 2.07 × 10 Pa; Pois-
c = 0.3.
son’s ratio 𝜐 = 0.3.
As shown in Figure 7, the Young’s modulus of the dark brown part of the soil filled
between the steel rings is set to 5 MPa, and the Young’s modulus of the light-yellow part
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13, 9284
Appl. x FOR PEER REVIEW 29of 19
of 17

Figure
Abstract:7. The unit
In this cell structure
paper, of OS-RGSM.
a radial gradient seismic(a)metamaterial
A two-dimensional(RGSM)cross-section
is proposed.diagram of the
The structural
OS-RGSM structure; (b) three-dimensional space lattice structure of OS-RGSM structure; (c) top view
unit cell is composed of an external square soil embedded with a triangular-cross-sectioned steel
of the protective effect of OS-RGSM structure on buildings.
ring, which is filled at different angles of multiple steel rings to form a supercell. The dispersion
curve and attenuation spectrum of the unit cell are calculated by the finite element method, and the
As shown in Figure 7, the Young’s modulus of the dark brown part of the soil filled
opening mechanism
between of theis
the steel rings band
set gap
to 5isMPa,
explained
and theby analyzing
Young’s the modes at
modulus ofthe
theband gap boundary.
light-yellow part
The influence of geometric parameters and material parameters on the
of the soil is set to 15 MPa. The remaining material parameters are consistent with the band gap is further studied,
and the optimized
parameters of thesupercell radial gradient seismic
triangular-cross-section unitmetamaterial (OS-RGSM)
cell. The optimized structureisisextended
supercell designed
through structure and parameter optimization. The ultra-low broadband
along the radial direction to form a new seismic metamaterial with a material gradient. excellent band gap in the
range of 2.35–20 Hz for seismic Lamb waves is realized, and its three-dimensional frequency re-
4.1. Theand
sponse Band Gap Characteristics
displacement and are
field diagram Transmission
calculated.Spectrum
In addition,of the
OS-RGSM
attenuation characteristics of
the optimized
Although supercell seismicand
the position metamaterial
width ofon thetheband
seismic
gap surface
can be wave are calculated
explained, and ana-
this result is
lyzed. It is found that the attenuation can reach more than 50% in the
based on the ideal condition of infinite period. Although the OS-RGSM under infinite ultra-low frequency range of
3.5–9 Hz.has
period Theperfect
seismicelastic
wave barrier
waveisshielding
verified byeffect
the vibration transmission
in the band characteristics
gap range, this is theof RGSM
result
of the finite
under accumulation
period andof attenuation
dynamic effectanalysis.
time history caused The by the condition
results show that ofRGSM
infinite
canperiod. In
effectively
practical
shield from applications,
seismic Lambonly waves finite periodic
in the structures
ultra-wideband can
with thebestarting
used, frequency
which leads to the
of 2.35 Hz fact
and
that theeffectively
can also dampingattenuate
effect of the
finite periodic
seismic surfacestructures cannot be fully
wave in semi-infinite space.reflected. Therefore,
for the finite periodic metamaterial structure, it is necessary to reflect the elastic wave
transmission
Keywords: radialcharacteristics of the finite
seismic metamaterials; periodic
supercell structure
method; to frequency
ultra-low verify thebroadband;
wave shielding
graded
characteristics
metamaterial of the metamaterial. In order to verify the accuracy and performance of the
band gap, a finite three-dimensional optimized metamaterial system based on transmission
spectrum analysis is established. The seismic metamaterial system consists of three OS-
RGSM barriers arranged in a radial period, the soil substrate and is used to reduce the
interference of other waves in the soil. Combined with the finite element calculation, the
1. Introduction
seismic protection results are analyzed. The wave propagation attenuation spectrum and
Earthquakes are one of the most catastrophic natural disasters, and the spread of
displacement field of the seismic Lamb wave in the optimized supercell are calculated to
seismic sources causes significant damage to structures, further leading to consumption
verify the energy band structure of the plate-shaped seismic metamaterial composed of the
and damage to various aspects of social resources [1–3]. Seismic metamaterial, as an arti-
OS-RGSM. It is proved that the proposed OS-RGSM has good protection effect. Reflection
ficial structure that attenuates seismic waves, can generate a band gap corresponding to
and attenuation of Lamb waves can also be observed in elastic wave propagation.
the seismic frequency, providing a new idea for building protection [4–6].
It is worth noting that the optimized supercell seismic metamaterial system is com-
posed of three cells arranged in the radial direction. As shown in Figure 8, the incident
 Appl. Sci. 2023, 13, 9284 10 of 17
Appl.
Appl. Sci.Sci. 2023,
2023, 13, 13, x FOR
x FOR PEER
PEER REVIEW
REVIEW 10 10
of of
17 17

wave along the x-polarization direction is set between the soil interface on the left side of
the the
along
along model
the xand the is
x direction perfect
direction matching
is calculated
calculated from layer.
fromthethe As showndomain
frequency
frequency indomain
Figure 9, the
range
range of attenuation
of
0–200–20
Hz. It spectrum
Hz. It can
can be be
along
found
found the
that
that x direction
thethe is
attenuation
attenuation calculated
region
region from
in in the
Figure
Figure frequency
9b9b domain
corresponds
corresponds range
perfectly
perfectly of
to to0–20
thethe Hz.
band
band Itgap
gapcan be
of of
found
thethe that
energy
energy bandthe
band attenuation
curve
curve in in region
Figure
Figure in
9a.9a. Figure 9b corresponds perfectly to the band gap of the
energy band curve in Figure 9a.

4a4a 85a
85a
4a
4a
PML
PML

PML
PML
PML
PML
50a
50a

Action
Action
spot
spot

YY PML
PML
XX
Figure
Figure
Figure 8.
8. OS-RGSM
8. OS-RGSM barrier
barrier
OS-RGSM forfor
barrier attenuation
attenuation
for of
ofseismic
of seismic
attenuation Lamb
Lamb
seismic wave.
wave.
Lamb wave.

20 20 20 20
18 18 18 18
16 16 16 16
14 14 14 14
Frequency (Hz)
Frequency (Hz)

Frequency (Hz)
Frequency (Hz)
12 12 12 12
10 10 10 10
8 8
A5A5
8 8
A4A4
6 6 A3A3 6 6
4 4 A2A2 4 4
2 2 2 2
A1A1
0 0 0 0
Γ Γ R -160-140
R -160 -140-120
-120-100
-100-80-80 -60-60 -40-40 -20-20 0 0 20 20
Reduced
Reduced wave
wave vector
vector (ka/π)
(ka/π)
Transmission
Transmission spectrum
spectrum (dB)
(dB)
(a)(a) (b)(b)
Figure
Figure
Figure 9. TheThe
9. The
9. bandband
band gap
gapgap characteristics
characteristics
characteristics of the
of of
the the OS−RGSM
OS−RGSM
OS−RGSM structure;
structure;
structure; (a)the
(a)(a)
the the dispersion
dispersion
dispersion curve
curve
curve of the
of of
the the
OS −
OS−RGSM RGSM
OS−RGSM structure;
structure;
structure; (b)
(b)(b) the
thethe transmission
transmission
transmission spectrum
spectrum
spectrum curve
curve
curve of the
of the
of the OS −
OS−RGSM
OS−RGSM RGSM structure.
structure.
structure.
4.2. The Band Gap Mechanism of OS-RGSM
4.2.4.2.
TheTheBandBandGapGap Mechanism
Mechanism of OS-RGSM
of OS-RGSM
The supercell method is used to calculate the energy band of the OS-RGSM structure.
The
Since Thethe supercell
supercell
optimized method
method
supercellis used
is used to to calculate
calculate
contains threethe the
unit energy
energy
cells, band
band
the of of
thethe
Brillouin OS-RGSM
OS-RGSM
zone structure.
structure.
is three times that
Since
Since the the optimized
optimized supercell
supercell contains
contains three
three unitunit cells,
cells, thethe Brillouin
Brillouin
of the original unit cell. The Brillouin zone boundary of the triangular cross-sectional zone
zone is is three
three times
times
radial
that
that of of
the the original
original unit
unit cell.
cell. The The Brillouin
Brillouin zonezone boundary
boundary of of
the the triangular
triangular
seismic metamaterial unit cell is from Γ (0, 0) to R (1, 0), and the Brillouin zone boundary of cross-sectional
cross-sectional
radial
radial seismic
the seismic
optimized metamaterial
metamaterial
supercell isunit unit
from Γcell
cell is to
is 0)
(0, fromfrom Γ 0).
RΓ (3,
(0,(0, 0)
to to R (1,
0) Therefore,
R (1, 0),
0),one
andandthethe
band ofBrillouin
Brillouin
the unit zone
zone
cell is
boundary
folded into three bands in the supercell, and the three bands in the supercell are called athe
boundary of of
thethe optimized
optimized supercell
supercell is is
fromfromΓ Γ
(0, (0,
0) 0)
to to
R R
(3, (3,
0).0). Therefore,
Therefore, oneone
bandbandof of
the set
unit
unit cellcell is folded
is folded into
into three
three bands
bands in in
thethe supercell,
supercell, andandthethe three
three bands
bands in in
thethe supercell
supercell
areare called
called a set
a set of of bands.
bands. AsAs shown
shown in in Figure
Figure 10,10,
thethe energy
energy band
band diagram
diagram of of
thethe OS-RGSM
OS-RGSM
 Appl. Sci. 2023, 13, 9284 11 of 17

of bands. As shown in Figure 10, the energy band diagram of the OS-RGSM structure is
found to have an ultra-low broadband gap from 2.1–20 Hz. In addition, multiple localized
flat bands can be observed in the band diagram. In the frequency range of 0–20 Hz, the
relative bandwidth of the band gap generated by the OS-RGSM structure proposed in
this paper is as high as 89.5%. In addition, this ultra-low-frequency characteristic is very
3, x FOR PEER REVIEW
important because the lower the frequency of the seismic waves, the greater the harm to
12 of 17
buildings. Table 1 compares the Lamb wave band gaps of similar structures in the relevant
literature.

Z
Z R1 R2
R (a)

Z Z
R R1 R2
(b)

Z Z
R R1 R2
(c)

Z Z
R1 R2
R
(d)

Z Z
R1 R2
R
(e)
Figure 10. Vibration modes
Figure 10. at specialmodes
Vibration pointsatof OS-RGSM
special structure;
points of OS-RGSM(a) the vibration
structure; mode atmode
(a) the vibration pointat point
A1; (b) vibration mode
A1; (b) vibration mode at point A2; (c) vibration mode at point A3; (d) vibration mode atA4;
at point A2; (c) vibration mode at point A3; (d) vibration mode at point point A4;
(e) vibration mode(e)
at vibration
point A5.mode at point A5.

Table 1. Lamb band gap comparison of similar structures.

Reference Lattice Constant (m) 1Optimal Band Gap Range (Hz) Lowest Frequency (Hz) 1
Band Width Ratio
[11] 10 6.38–16.01, 16.39–19.39 6.38 62.9%
[12] 1.5 3.5–10 3.5 32.5%
[13] 10 8–20 8 60%
[19] 2.5 7.41–20 7.41 62.95%
This work 12 2.1–20 2.1 89.5%

0 0
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 12 of 17

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13, 9284 12 of 17

Z
Z R
In order to further study the band gap generation mechanism of the OS-RGSM
1 R2 struc-
R vibration modes at five special points
ture, the (a)in Figure 9 are calculated. The three-
dimensional and two-dimensional vibration modes are shown in Figure 10. The OS-RGSM
structure can be seen as the soil acting as a connector, connecting different scatterers as a
mass to stabilize, and acting as a spring between adjacent scatterers. As shown in Figure 10,
theZ mode at point B1 shows that in the OS-RGSM structure, the steel ring Z in the second
unit cell R
R vibrates upward along the z-axis direction, and the other parts remain
1 R2 basically
static; for the mode at the B2 point, the vibration (b)
and scattering occur on the scatterer steel
ring in the first unit cell of the supercell, and the vibration direction is along the z-axis;
for the mode at point B3 , the vibration and scattering occur on the connecting body (soil)
between the second unit cell and the third unit cell and vibrate downward along the axial
Z
direction. The mode at B4 is the axial vibration of the soil between theZsecond and third
R along the R direction, and the scatterer is almost completely
unit cells R1 R2 The mode
static.
(c)
at B5 shows the downward vibration of the connecting soil between the first and second
cells along the z-axis. It can be found that the OS-RGSM structure can be equivalent to
a multi-oscillator-spring structure. At different frequencies, different oscillators vibrate
correspondingly. The design of this structure is beneficial to the practical application. The
Z ring is used as the lower foundation of the building while attenuating
steel Z the seismic
Lamb R R 1
wave, and the different soil material parameters can be used to flexiblyR2 control the
band gap range, which greatly saves the economic (d) cost.
In order to further verify the protective ability of the obtained seismic metamaterial,
the total displacement diagrams with frequencies of 5.7 Hz and 1.3 Hz shown in Figure 11
are calculated, and they correspond to the total displacement state of the internal and
Z
external frequencies of the band gap under the interference of incident Z waves. When
R1 R2 of energy is
outsideR the band gap, part of the incident wave is reflected, but a large amount
still transmitted to the seismic metamaterial. When (e)the frequency is 5.7 Hz within the band
gap, the incident wave is almost completely reflected by the optimized metamaterial and
Figure 10. Vibration modes at special points of OS-RGSM structure; (a) the vibration mode at point
consumed by the soil on its left side. The results show that the vibration of Lamb wave is
A1; (b) vibration mode at point A2; (c) vibration mode at point A3; (d) vibration mode at point A4;
effectively attenuated by the OS-RGSM barrier in the band gap. Therefore, this OS-RGSM
(e) vibration mode at point A5.
can provide an ultra-wide low-frequency range of 2.35–20 Hz with almost no interference
from Lamb waves.

1 1

0 0

(a) (b)

Figure
Figure11.11. Displacement
Displacementmapmapofofseismic
seismicLamb
Lambwave
waveattenuation
attenuationofofOS-RGSM
OS-RGSMstructure. (a) The
structure.(a) The
stress
stressfield
fielddiagram
diagramofof
the OS-RGSM
the OS-RGSM on on
thethe
lamb wave
lamb barrier
wave at 5.7atHz.
barrier 5.7(b) The stress
Hz.(b) field diagram
The stress field dia-
of the OS-RGSM
gram on the lamb
of the OS-RGSM wave
on the lambbarrier
waveatbarrier
1.3 Hz.at 1.3 Hz.

4.3. The Attenuation Effect of OS-RGSM Structure on Surface Wave

4.3. The Attenuation Effect of OS-RGSM Structure on Surface Wave
In order to further study and optimize the attenuation effect of OS-RGSM on seismic
In order
surface waves,tofinite
further studysimulation
element and optimize the attenuation
calculations effect of OS-RGSM
were performed on seismic
using COMSOL
surface waves, finite element simulation calculations were performed using COMSOL
Muiltiphysics 5.5. In theory, the infinite periodic unit cell structure has ideal filtering
characteristics. However, in practical engineering applications, the number of unit cells is
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 13 of 17

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13, 9284 13 of 17

Muiltiphysics 5.5. In theory, the infinite periodic unit cell structure has ideal filtering char-
acteristics. However, in practical engineering applications, the number of unit cells is al-
ways limited. In order to verify the effectiveness of OS-RGSM to suppress seismic surface
always limited. In order to verify the effectiveness of OS-RGSM to suppress seismic surface
waves,
waves,thethedynamic responseofofthe
dynamic response thethree-dimensional
three-dimensional finite-period
finite-period OS-RGSM
OS-RGSM systemsystem
is is
numerically simulated. The three-dimensional finite-period system with
numerically simulated. The three-dimensional finite-period system with three-period radial three-period ra-
dial continuation
continuation is shown
is shown in Figure
in Figure 12. On 12.
lineOn
A, aline A, athat
source source thatalong
vibrates vibrates
the x along the x di-
direction
rection
on theon the
free free surface
surface is used is
to used to introduce
introduce surface
surface waves, andwaves, andmatching
a perfect a perfectlayer
matching
is set layer
is on
setthe
onbottom and both
the bottom sides
and bothof the three-dimensional
sides model structure
of the three-dimensional to reduce
model reflection.
structure to reduce
The surface
reflection. Theperpendicular to the x-direction
surface perpendicular is set
to the as a periodic
x-direction boundary
is set condition
as a periodic so that con-
boundary
the results
dition arethe
so that closer to reality.
results are closer to reality.

PML A
Soil base layer
23.5a

Z
4a

X 62.5a
(a)

Optimizing
the supercell
25a

A
Y

X
38.5a
(b)

Figure
Figure12.
12.The
Theattenuation effectofofOS-RGSM
attenuation effect OS-RGSM onon seismic
seismic surface
surface waves.
waves. (a) side
(a) The Theview
side of
view
OS- of OS-
RGSM
RGSMbarrier
barrierattenuation ofseismic
attenuation of seismicsurface
surface waves;
waves; (b) (b)
top top
viewview of OS-RGSM
of OS-RGSM barrierbarrier attenuation
attenuation
seismic
seismicsurface
surfacewave.
wave.

TheThemain
main view
view of of the
thethree-dimensional
three-dimensional period
perioddesigned
designedin this
in paper is shown
this paper in
is shown in
Figure 12a, and the top view is shown in Figure 12b. In Figure 12a,b,
Figure 12a, and the top view is shown in Figure 12b. In Figure 12a,b, the soil base layer is the soil base layer
is represented by gray shadow, and the perfect matching layer is represented by purple.
represented by gray shadow, and the perfect matching layer is represented by purple. The
The distance between the source of the OS-RGSM and the right side of the optimized
distance between the source of the OS-RGSM and the right side of the optimized supercell
supercell barrier is set to 38.5a, the depth of the soil base along the z direction is set to
barrier
23.5a, istheset to 38.5a,
length of thethe
soildepth
base alongof the
thesoil base along
x direction is setthe z direction
to 62.5a, and theiswidth
set toalong
23.5a, the
length of the soil base along the x direction is set to 62.5a, and the width
the y direction is set to 25a. In order to effectively prevent the influence of factors such as along the y direc-
tion
waveis set to 25a.onInthe
reflection order to effectively
results, the thickness prevent the influence
of the perfect matchingoflayerfactors such
is set asThe
to 4a. wave re-
flection
calculatedon the results, effect
attenuation the thickness ofthree-dimensional
of the finite the perfect matching layer
periodic is set tosystem
composite 4a. The on calcu-
the seismic surface wave can be observed from Figure 13a. In the ultra-low-frequency
lated attenuation effect of the finite three-dimensional periodic composite system on the range
of 0–9Hz,
seismic the system
surface waveoptimized by the OS-RGSM
can be observed barrier13a.
from Figure has In
a significant attenuation effect range
the ultra-low-frequency
of more than 50% in the range of 3.5 Hz to 9 Hz compared with the barrier-free system.
of 0–9Hz, the system optimized by the OS-RGSM barrier has a significant attenuation ef-
In order to further study the effect of optimizing the metamaterial barrier on the
fect of more than 50% in the range of 3.5 Hz to 9 Hz compared with the barrier-free system.
attenuation of seismic surface waves, the displacement diagrams at two frequencies in
the In order
band gap to are
further study the
calculated, as effect
shownofinoptimizing
Figure 13b,c. the metamaterial
From the diagram, barrieriton can thebeattenu-
ation of seismic surface waves, the displacement diagrams at two
observed that when the seismic surface wave reaches the OS-RGSM barrier, most of the frequencies in the band gap
are calculated,
surface wave as shown inby
is absorbed Figure 13b,c. From
the structure theasdiagram,
acting a vibratoritincanthebebarrier,
observed and that when the
a small
seismic surface wave reaches the OS-RGSM barrier, most of the surface wave is absorbed by
the structure acting as a vibrator in the barrier, and a small amount is converted into a body
wave, which dissipates in the soil base and plays a good damping effect.
 Appl. Sci. 2023, 13, 9284 14 of 17

amount is converted into a body wave, which dissipates in the soil base and plays a good
damping effect.
Furthermore, this paper studies the acceleration-time response of the OS-RGSM barrier
under the action of an EI-Centro seismic wave. Figure 14a is the acceleration time curve of
the EI-Centro seismic wave, which is converted into the acceleration curve after Fourier
change, as shown in Figure 14b; in the three-dimensional model simulating OS-RGSM
attenuation seismic wave, the perfect matching layer is applied on the side and bottom
of the soil to eliminate the interference of the external environment on the structure and
ensure the accuracy of the results. In the designed model, the grid is divided into regions,
and the transient calculation time is not long set to 1/60fmax . The calculation results show
that the OS-RGSM barrier has a good attenuation effect on seismic waves. Figure 14a,b
are the acceleration response in the x and z directions of the periodic barrier caused by the
EI-Centro seismic wave as the source, respectively. It can be seen from the figure that the
periodic barrier has a significant effect on the attenuation of seismic waves in the band gap
range, especially in the z direction. This result verifies that the OS-RGSM has a certain
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW
attenuation of seismic surface waves in the band gap range, thus avoiding the damage 14 of 17of
the building structure to the seismic waves in all directions.

15
10 with OS-RGSM
without OS-RGSM
5
0
Transmission (dB)

-5
-10
-15
(b)
-20
-25
-30
-35
-40
-45
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Frequency (Hz)
(a) (c)

Figure 13. OS−RGSM barrier attenuates seismic surface wave. (a) The transmission spectrum curve
Figure 13. OS−RGSM barrier attenuates seismic surface wave. (a) The transmission spectrum curve
of seismic surface wave with OS−RGSM barrier and without OS−RGSM barrier; (b) the displacement
of seismic surface wave with OS−RGSM barrier and without OS−RGSM barrier; (b) the displacement
diagramofof3.5
diagram 3.5Hz
Hzfrequency
frequencyattenuation
attenuationseismic
seismicsurface
surfacewave;
wave;(c)
(c)4.2
4.2Hz
Hzfrequency
frequencyattenuation
attenuation
seismic surface wave displacement diagram.
seismic surface wave displacement diagram.

Furthermore, this paper studies the acceleration-time response of the OS-RGSM bar-
rier under the action of an EI-Centro seismic wave. Figure 14a is the acceleration time
curve of the EI-Centro seismic wave, which is converted into the acceleration curve after
Fourier change, as shown in Figure 14b; in the three-dimensional model simulating OS-
RGSM attenuation seismic wave, the perfect matching layer is applied on the side and
bottom of the soil to eliminate the interference of the external environment on the struc-
ture and ensure the accuracy of the results. In the designed model, the grid is divided into
regions, and the transient calculation time is not long set to 1/60fmax. The calculation results
show that the OS-RGSM barrier has a good attenuation effect on seismic waves. Figure
14a,b are the acceleration response in the x and z directions of the periodic barrier caused
by the EI-Centro seismic wave as the source, respectively. It can be seen from the figure
that the periodic barrier has a significant effect on the attenuation of seismic waves in the
band gap range, especially in the z direction. This result verifies that the OS-RGSM has a
certain attenuation of seismic surface waves in the band gap range, thus avoiding the
damage of the building structure to the seismic waves in all directions.
Appl.Sci.
Appl. Sci.2023,
2023,13,
13,9284
x FOR PEER REVIEW 15
15 of 17
of 17

0.4 0.012

EI-Centro Seismic wave EI-Centro Seismic wave

0.3 0.010

Acceleration amplitude (g)

0.2
0.008
Acceleration (g)

0.1
0.006
0.0

-0.1 0.004

-0.2
0.002
-0.3
0.000
0 10 20 30 40 50 0 5 10 15 20 25
Time (s) Time (s)
(a) (b)
0.12 0.12
0.1 No barrier 0.1 No barrier
New type of supercell barrier New type of supercell barrier
Acceleration in z direction (g)
Acceleration in x direction (g)

0.08 0.08
0.06 0.06
0.04 0.04
0.02 0.02
0 0
-0.02 -0.02
-0.04 -0.04
-0.06 -0.06
-0.08 -0.08
-0.1 -0.1
0 10 20 30 40 50 0 10 20 30 40 50
Time (s) Time (s)
(c) (d)
Figure 14.
Figure 14.(a)
(a)Seismic
Seismicwave
wavetime
time−history maps; (b)
−history maps; (b)seismic
seismicwave
wavespectrum
spectrumcurve;
curve;(c)
(c)x−
x−direction
direction
acceleration response; (d) z direction acceleration response.
acceleration response; (d) z direction acceleration response.

5.
5. Conclusions
Conclusions
In
In this
this chapter,
chapter, an an optimized
optimized supercell
supercell radial
radial gradient
gradient seismic metamaterial is pro-
posed
posed in in which
which the
the supercell
supercell structure
structure is is composed
composed of of three
three kinds
kinds ofof unit
unit cells
cells filled
filled at
at
different
different angles
angles and
and the
the optimized
optimized supercell structure is formed by adjusting the soil pa-
rameters.
rameters. TheThefinite
finiteelement
elementmethodmethod is is
used to calculate
used to calculatethe the
energy
energybandband
curve, mode,
curve, and
mode,
transmission spectrum of the triangular filled unit cell attenuation
and transmission spectrum of the triangular filled unit cell attenuation seismic Lamb seismic Lamb wave.
The
wave.influence of the geometric
The influence and material
of the geometric parameters
and material on the on
parameters bandthegap
bandis studied using
gap is studied
geometric and material parameter analysis. The band gap characteristics
using geometric and material parameter analysis. The band gap characteristics of the op- of the optimized
supercell structurestructure
timized supercell are studied and verified
are studied using frequency
and verified response.
using frequency The attenuation
response. The atten-
characteristics of the optimized
uation characteristics supercell
of the optimized structure
supercell for seismic
structure surface wave
for seismic surface are further
wave are
studied and verified in the time domain.
further studied and verified in the time domain.
The
The results
results show
show thatthat the
the geometric
geometric parameters
parameters andand material
material parameters
parameters of of the
the radial
radial
gradient
gradient seismic metamaterial can effectively adjust the band gap range of the unit
seismic metamaterial can effectively adjust the band gap range of the unit cell.
cell.
The
The cutoff
cutoff frequency
frequency of of the
the first
first band
band gap
gap isis more
more significantly
significantly affected
affected byby the
the parameter
parameter
change
change than
than the
the initial
initial frequency.
frequency. The The mechanism
mechanism of of the
the band
band gap
gap is
is the
the local
local resonance
resonance
caused
caused by by different
different materials
materialsactingacting as
as oscillators.
oscillators. The
The optimized
optimized supercell
supercell radial
radial gradient
gradient
seismic
seismic metamaterial
metamaterialstructure
structurecan canachieve
achievegoodgoodattenuation
attenuationof ofseismic
seismicLamb
Lambwaveswaves in in an
an
ultra-low-broadband range of 2.35 Hz–20 Hz. The widening mechanism of the band gap
ultra-low-broadband range of 2.35 Hz–20 Hz. The widening mechanism of the band gap
is the coupling of oscillator mass and system stiffness introduced by different filling rates
is the coupling of oscillator mass and system stiffness introduced by different filling rates
and material parameters. At the same time, for the surface wave in the ultra-low-frequency
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13, 9284 16 of 17

range of 3.5–9 Hz, the optimized supercell radial gradient seismic metamaterial barrier also
has an effective attenuation effect.

Author Contributions: Conceptualization, Q.Y. and K.S.; methodology, Q.Y. and K.S.; software, Q.Y.
and K.S.; validation, Q.Y., K.S. and Y.L.; formal analysis, L.L.; investigation, Y.L. and J.B.; resources,
Q.Y. and L.L.; data curation, K.S.; writing—original draft preparation, K.S. and Y.L.; writing—review
and editing, L.L. and J.B.; visualization, K.S. and Y.L.; supervision, L.L.; project administration, L.L.;
funding acquisition, L.L. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Funding: This research was funded by the Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51405368), the
Natural Science Foundation of China Shaanxi Province under Grant No. 15JK1405, and the Natural
Science Foundation of China Shaanxi Province under Grant No. 2017JM5024.
Institutional Review Board Statement: Not applicable.
Informed Consent Statement: Not applicable.
Data Availability Statement: The data presented in this study are available on request from the
corresponding author.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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