Sparse metapiles for shear wave attenuation in half-spaces

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that sparse arrays of buried resonators, called metapiles, can effectively attenuate shear waves in half-space media, offering a new approach for wave mitigation using fewer resonators.

Contribution

The study introduces the concept of using sparse metapiles for shear wave attenuation in half-spaces, combining experimental, numerical, and simulation analyses to optimize design parameters.

Findings

Sparse metapiles significantly reduce shear wave amplitude.

Attenuation effectiveness depends on array configuration and resonator design.

Method applicable to various scales for wave mitigation.

Abstract

We show that shear waves traveling towards the surface of a half-space medium can be attenuated via buried one-dimensional arrays of resonators -- here called metapiles -- arranged according to sparse patterns around a site to be isolated. Our focus is on shear waves approaching the surface along a direction perpendicular to the surface itself. First, we illustrate the behavior of metapiles, both experimentally and numerically, using 3D printed resonators embedded in an acrylic plate. Then, via numerical simulations, we extend this idea to the case study of an idealized soil half-space, and elucidate the influence of various design parameters on wave attenuation. Results of this work demonstrate that significant wave attenuation can be achieved by installing sparse resonating piles around a selected site on the free surface of the medium, rather than placing resonators directly underneath that same site. This work might have implications in metamaterial-based wave attenuation applications across scales.