Hole pattern hinders ground ripples

A regular pattern of holes drilled in the ground can impede the passage of certain surface waves, but the technique gives little hope of damping earthquakes.

References:

Meseguer, F., M. Holgado, D. Caballero, N. Benaches, J. Sánchez-Dehusa, C. López, and J. Llinares. 1999. Rayleigh waves attenuation by a semi-infinite two-dimensional elastic band-gap crystal. Physical Review B (May).

Further Readings:

Weiss, P. 1998. Better seal for see-through sound wall. Science News 154(Oct. 31):284.

Sources:

Francisco Meseguer
Universidad Politécnica de Valencia
Departamento de Física Aplicada
Unidad Asociada Cosejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas
Camino de Vera
E-46022 Valencia
Spain

Jose Sanchez-Dehesa
Universidad Autonoma de Madrid
Departamento de Física Teórica de la Materia Condensada
Facultad de Ciencias (C-V)
E-28049 Madrid
Spain

From Science News, Vol. 155, No. 19, May 8, 1999, p. 303. Copyright © 1999, Science Service.

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