A comprehensive numerical study on the performance of a novel nonlinear foundation consisting of alternating layers of lead rubber bearings and concrete slabs is presented in this article. The novel design combines the established load bearing capacity of commercial bearings with wave propagation inhibition by means of Bragg scattering in periodic structures. This solution substantially reduces structural demand under ground motion excitation without compromising performance during operational loading. The performance of the foundation is evaluated through nonlinear response history analyses and it is compared against conventional base isolated alternatives. By explicitly simulating the hysteretic behaviour of lead rubber bearings, we demonstrate that the response complies with the best practice standard of current design codes, as defined for base-isolated buildings. A comparative study exposes the limitations of linear analysis, leading to unrealistic and non-conservative outcomes. The results reflect the superior performance of the novel foundation in reducing base displacements, owing to Bragg scattering, as well as its remarkable robustness to input and soil variability. A sensitivity analysis over the key design parameters provides valuable insights and enables tailoring the foundation to the dynamic characteristics of the supported structure. For the first time, a framework for the assessment of global stability is formulated and deployed, highlighting the importance of considering stability as a performance metric when designing layered periodic foundations.

本文介绍了由铅橡胶支座和混凝土板交替层组成的新型非线性基础性能的综合数值研究。这种新颖的设计通过周期性结构中的布拉格散射将商业轴承的既定承载能力与波传播抑制相结合。该解决方案在不影响操作负载期间的性能的情况下，显着降低了地震动激励下的结构需求。通过非线性响应历史分析评估地基的性能，并将其与传统的基础隔离替代方案进行比较。通过明确模拟铅橡胶轴承的滞后行为，我们证明响应符合当前设计规范的最佳实践标准，与基础隔离建筑的定义相同。一项比较研究暴露了线性分析的局限性，导致了不切实际和非保守的结果。结果反映了新型基础在减少基础位移方面的优越性能，由于布拉格散射，以及其对输入和土壤变异性的显着鲁棒性。对关键设计参数的敏感性分析提供了宝贵的见解，并使基础能够适应支撑结构的动态特性。首次制定并部署了用于评估全局稳定性的框架，突出了在设计分层周期性基础时将稳定性作为性能指标考虑的重要性。导致不切实际和非保守的结果。结果反映了新型基础在减少基础位移方面的优越性能，由于布拉格散射，以及其对输入和土壤变异性的显着鲁棒性。对关键设计参数的敏感性分析提供了宝贵的见解，并使基础能够适应支撑结构的动态特性。首次制定并部署了用于评估全局稳定性的框架，突出了在设计分层周期性基础时将稳定性作为性能指标考虑的重要性。导致不切实际和非保守的结果。结果反映了新型基础在减少基础位移方面的优越性能，由于布拉格散射，以及其对输入和土壤变异性的显着鲁棒性。对关键设计参数的敏感性分析提供了宝贵的见解，并使基础能够适应支撑结构的动态特性。首次制定并部署了用于评估全局稳定性的框架，突出了在设计分层周期性基础时将稳定性作为性能指标考虑的重要性。以及其对输入和土壤变异性的显着稳健性。对关键设计参数的敏感性分析提供了宝贵的见解，并使基础能够适应支撑结构的动态特性。首次制定并部署了用于评估全局稳定性的框架，突出了在设计分层周期性基础时将稳定性作为性能指标考虑的重要性。以及其对输入和土壤变异性的显着稳健性。对关键设计参数的敏感性分析提供了宝贵的见解，并使基础能够适应支撑结构的动态特性。首次制定并部署了用于评估全局稳定性的框架，突出了在设计分层周期性基础时将稳定性作为性能指标考虑的重要性。