Dissipative locally resonant metasurfaces for low-frequency Rayleigh wave mitigation

Low-frequency Rayleigh waves from earthquakes and traffic pose significant risks to engineering structures, yet their broadband mitigation remains a challenge. To address this, we develop an elastic dissipative metasurface (EDM) that leverages multi-resonance and engineered damping to achieve broadband Rayleigh wave suppression. Using effective theory, we establish a framework for describing the wave behavior of EDMs, which closely matches numerical simulations and provides an efficient approach to designing advanced metasurfaces. Our analysis reveals that damping can break the traditional constraint requiring Rayleigh wave dispersion curves to stay outside of the sound cone, allowing them to enter the sound cone. To quantify energy transfer processes, we introduce a mechanical energy flux analysis based on Poynting’s theorem, revealing the scattering and conversion of Rayleigh waves into other wave modes in dissipative systems. Furthermore, we propose an adiabatic EDM design, incorporating slow spatial modulation to eliminate reflections and achieve perfect rainbow absorption. This approach ensures seamless energy dissipation while overcoming the narrowband limitations and imperfect absorption of conventional metasurfaces. Numerical simulations confirm the superior performance of EDMs, demonstrating broadband wave mitigation, enhanced absorption, and controlled energy conversion. Our findings provide new insights into Rayleigh wave manipulation through engineered dissipation and graded microstructures, paving the way for next-generation functional metasurfaces with applications in seismic isolation, structural protection, and vibration control.