Seismic Surface Wave Cloaking by Acoustic Wave Refraction

Abstract

Recently two seismic cloaking methods of earthquake engineering have been suggested. One is the seismic wave deflection method that makes the seismic wave bend away and the other is the shadow zone method that makes an area that seismic waves cannot pass through. It is called as seismic cloaking. The fundamental principles of the seismic cloaking by variable refractive index were explained. A two-dimensional cylindrical model which was composed of 40 layers of different density and modulus was tested by numerical simulation. The center region of the model to be protected is called 'cloaked area' and the outer region of it to deflect the incoming wave is called 'cloaking area' or 'cloak area.' As the incoming surface wave is approaching to the cloaking area, the refractive index is decreasing and, therefore, the velocity and impedance are increasing. Then, the wave bends away the cloaked area instead of passing it. Three cases are tested depending on the comparison between the seismic wavelength and the diameter of the cloaked region. The advantage and disadvantage of the method were compared with conventional earthquake engineering method. Some practical requirements for realization in fields were discussed.