Abstract
The preloaded and prestressed (PLPS) geotextile-reinforced soil structure can have substantially high stiffness and stability in the vertical direction when subjected to cyclic vertical load. The struture has a high damping ratio, flexibility and ductility when subjected to cyclic horizontal load during earthquakes. The structure can also exhibit a high resistance against large lateral deformation. By taking advantages of these features, the structure could function as a base isolation system supporting a massive superstructure. To examine this feasibility, a series of shaking table tests on models supposing a model massive super-structure. It was found that by adjusting the natural frequency of the system, the structure could function as a base isolation system.
