Seismic energy transmission to deep-founded structures

abstract The predominant seismic energy input into structures is from Rayleigh waves. These attenuate rapidly with distance from the surface and are partially reflected and partially transmitted by a hole in the ground. A structure founded in such a hole may anticipate a smaller seismic input than a surface-founded structure. Estimates of such a reduction are given which indicate that only short buildings and material with low shear-wave velocities will provide the proper conditions for this beneficial effect.