The foundation system includes a below ground rigid raft foundation to bear a load for an above ground structure, and granular cushions and piles formed below the raft foundation. The granular cushions are configured for uniform load distribution of the raft foundation and the piles are configured to bear a load of the above ground structure and the raft foundation. The foundation system further includes stone columns encapsulated with a non-woven geofabric and configured to stabilize the raft foundation. The raft foundation is disposed adjacent and above the stone columns, the granular cushions are present between neighboring stone columns, and the granular cushions are present between the stone columns and the piles. The stone columns have a cementing agent for stabilization.

A seismic isolation system for underground structures comprises a periodic foundation and periodic arrays of piles in the soil or periodic piles that surround the underground structure. The periodic foundation may be a foundation of periodic materials. The periodic piles can substantially reduce the incoming seismic waves from the lateral direction. The periodic piles may be vertically arranged layers of periodic materials. The combination of the periodic foundation and periodic piles can result in total isolation for the underground structure. This total isolation may be of particular interest for underground facilities, such as underground nuclear power plants and structures with basements.

A seismic isolation system for underground structures comprises a periodic foundation and periodic arrays of piles in the soil or periodic piles that surround the underground structure. The periodic foundation may be a foundation of periodic materials. The periodic piles can substantially reduce the incoming seismic waves from the lateral direction. The periodic piles may be vertically arranged layers of periodic materials. The combination of the periodic foundation and periodic piles can result in total isolation for the underground structure. This total isolation may be of particular interest for underground facilities, such as underground nuclear power plants and structures with basements.

A sliding seismic isolator includes a first plate attached to a building support, and at least one elongate element extending from the first plate. The seismic isolator also includes a second plate. The first and second plates are capable of moving relative to one another along a horizontal plane. The seismic isolator also includes a lower support member attached to the second plate, with a biasing arrangement positioned within the lower support member. The elongate element(s) extend from the first plate at least partially into the lower support member, and movement of the elongate element(s) is influenced or controlled by the biasing arrangement. The seismic isolator also includes a damping structure with closed ends spaced apart from the first plate and the base of the seismic isolator. The damping structure is configured to contain a substance, such as a liquid, gas, silicone, and/or a combination thereof, and to expand longitudinally when it is compressed.

The disclosure discloses a high-performance liquefaction mitigation method forstone columns for protecting the existing buildings during earthquakes. Specifically, a small equipment is used to dig trenches in the soil around the existing building. Then, a spiral driller is used to drill a series of boreholes in the trenches according to the optimized borehole design. Next, two or three layers of optimized gravel material with high permeability are filled into the boreholes to work as the inverted layer. Finally, geotextile is arranged around the trench and the trench is filled with the optimized gravel. Compared with current liquefaction mitigation methods for existing buildings, the disclosure is suitable for liquefaction mitigation in large cities, and has the advantages of low disturbance to the overlaid building, simple construction process, high construction efficiency, low construction cost, long service life and the construction material could be easily obtained.

The disclosure discloses a high-performance liquefaction mitigation method forstone columns for protecting the existing buildings during earthquakes. Specifically, a small equipment is used to dig trenches in the soil around the existing building. Then, a spiral driller is used to drill a series of boreholes in the trenches according to the optimized borehole design. Next, two or three layers of optimized gravel material with high permeability are filled into the boreholes to work as the inverted layer. Finally, geotextile is arranged around the trench and the trench is filled with the optimized gravel. Compared with current liquefaction mitigation methods for existing buildings, the disclosure is suitable for liquefaction mitigation in large cities, and has the advantages of low disturbance to the overlaid building, simple construction process, high construction efficiency, low construction cost, long service life and the construction material could be easily obtained.

Anti-seismic device for seismically isolating structure relative to ground including first support defining first support plane integrally connectable to upper portion and including two first hinges defining first constant reciprocal distance, second support defining second support plane including two second hinges defining second constant reciprocal distance, third support defining third support plane integrally connectable to lower portion and including two third hinges defining third constant reciprocal distance, and connector defining connection plane perpendicular to third support plane and including at least two first rigid bars, each defining a first non-deformable connection direction and two second rigid bars, each defining a second non-deformable connection direction. First bars transiently constrained to first hinges and second hinge so the first connection directions of first bars cross in the connection plane. Second bars transiently constrained to second hinges and third hinge so second connection directions of second bars cross in connection plane.

A civil engineering anti-seismic structure includes a base. A fixing structure is fixedly welded at the bottom center of the base. A through-hole is provided at the top center of the base. Sliding grooves are provided on corresponding inner walls at two sides of the base. Sliding blocks are slidably connected to the sliding grooves inside the grooves and are symmetrically installed at two sides of a sliding plate. A top block is fixedly welded at the top center of the sliding plate (8), and a fixing groove is provided at the top center of the top block. A shock-absorbing damping pad is fixedly adhered to a bottom inner wall of the base. A first limiting plate is fixedly welded around the top portion of the sliding plate, and a second limiting plate is fixedly welded around the through-hole at a top inner wall of the base.

A civil engineering anti-seismic structure includes a base. A fixing structure is fixedly welded at the bottom center of the base. A through-hole is provided at the top center of the base. Sliding grooves are provided on corresponding inner walls at two sides of the base. Sliding blocks are slidably connected to the sliding grooves inside the grooves and are symmetrically installed at two sides of a sliding plate. A top block is fixedly welded at the top center of the sliding plate (8), and a fixing groove is provided at the top center of the top block. A shock-absorbing damping pad is fixedly adhered to a bottom inner wall of the base. A first limiting plate is fixedly welded around the top portion of the sliding plate, and a second limiting plate is fixedly welded around the through-hole at a top inner wall of the base.

Described herein is a base isolation system utilising a pier-like assembly comprising intermediary elements such as pillars isolating a first member and a second member, the second member above the first member and the members in a spaced apart relationship with intermediary elements therebetween. In one aspect, a base isolation system is provided comprising a first member and a second member, the second member being above the first member, the members being in a spaced apart relationship separated by pillars; and wherein each pillar comprises a pillar fixed end and an opposing pillar movable end. In the event of relative movement between the first and second member, the pillars dampen transfer of movement between the members by the movable pillar end moving relative to a movable first or second member thereby reducing the degree of energy transfer between the members. A method of installing a base isolation system is also described herein.