Experimental Investigation of Metamaterial-Inspired Periodic Foundation Systems with Embedded Piezoelectric Layers for Seismic Vibration Attenuation

Seismic metamaterial-inspired periodic foundations have emerged as promising vibration-mitigation concepts capable of attenuating seismic wave propagation within specific frequency bands. This study presents an experimental investigation on the dynamic response of periodic foundation configurations, with and without embedded piezoelectric layers, to evaluate their vibration-attenuation characteristics. The experimental program employed a shake table driven by a 0.75 kW servo motor and included excitation step counts of 3000, 4000, and 5000. Accelerometers mounted on the specimen surfaces recorded vibration data at 80 ms intervals. Three foundation configurations were tested: (i) a conventional reinforced concrete block, (ii) a one-dimensional periodic foundation composed of alternating concrete and rubber layers, and (iii) a periodic foundation incorporating piezoelectric modules. Time-domain and frequency-domain analyses showed that the periodic foundations achieved notable reductions in both peak and RMS accelerations, especially near resonance frequencies. The configuration, including piezoelectric layers, exhibited similar attenuation performance while also generating measurable instantaneous voltage outputs under vibration. However, these voltage peaks—reaching a maximum of 1.64 V—represent only a laboratory-scale, proof-of-concept demonstration of electromechanical coupling rather than a practical or continuous form of energy harvesting, given the inherently sporadic nature of seismic excitation. Overall, the results confirm that the tested system is not a full metamaterial in the classical sense but rather a metamaterial-inspired periodic arrangement capable of inducing band-gap-based vibration attenuation. The inclusion of piezoelectric elements provides auxiliary sensing and micro-energy-generation capabilities, offering a preliminary foundation for future multifunctional seismic-protection concepts.