Geotechnical Seismic Isolation (GSI): State of the art

Hing-Ho Tsang

doi:10.1016/j.soildyn.2025.109627

Geotechnical Seismic Isolation (GSI): State of the art

Hing-Ho Tsang (Lead / Corresponding author)

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)

81 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Geotechnical Seismic Isolation (GSI) is a category of seismic isolation techniques that are in direct contact with geomaterials and of which the isolation mechanism primarily involves geotechnics. It is an advanced resilient seismic design approach that can fulfil the damage avoidance performance objectives, consistent with conventional Structural Seismic Isolation. GSI is future focused and well-positioned to play a complementary role in building a safer and more resilient world. This article aims to provide a state-of-the-art overview of this new branch of knowledge in the field of earthquake engineering. The overarching vision and the scientific principles of the four branches of GSI systems will be discussed, explained and clarified. Also, a non-exhaustive bibliography of major development of GSI is provided in chronological order.

Original language	English
Article number	109627
Number of pages	15
Journal	Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering
Volume	198
Early online date	3 Jul 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soildyn.2025.109627
Publication status	Published - Nov 2025

Keywords

Geotechnical seismic isolation
Soil-foundation-structure interaction
Sliding
Rocking
Energy dissipation
Resilient design
Retrofit

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Civil and Structural Engineering
Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology
Soil Science

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10.1016/j.soildyn.2025.109627Licence: CC BY

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title = "Geotechnical Seismic Isolation (GSI): State of the art",

abstract = "Geotechnical Seismic Isolation (GSI) is a category of seismic isolation techniques that are in direct contact with geomaterials and of which the isolation mechanism primarily involves geotechnics. It is an advanced resilient seismic design approach that can fulfil the damage avoidance performance objectives, consistent with conventional Structural Seismic Isolation. GSI is future focused and well-positioned to play a complementary role in building a safer and more resilient world. This article aims to provide a state-of-the-art overview of this new branch of knowledge in the field of earthquake engineering. The overarching vision and the scientific principles of the four branches of GSI systems will be discussed, explained and clarified. Also, a non-exhaustive bibliography of major development of GSI is provided in chronological order.",

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AU - Tsang, Hing-Ho

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AB - Geotechnical Seismic Isolation (GSI) is a category of seismic isolation techniques that are in direct contact with geomaterials and of which the isolation mechanism primarily involves geotechnics. It is an advanced resilient seismic design approach that can fulfil the damage avoidance performance objectives, consistent with conventional Structural Seismic Isolation. GSI is future focused and well-positioned to play a complementary role in building a safer and more resilient world. This article aims to provide a state-of-the-art overview of this new branch of knowledge in the field of earthquake engineering. The overarching vision and the scientific principles of the four branches of GSI systems will be discussed, explained and clarified. Also, a non-exhaustive bibliography of major development of GSI is provided in chronological order.

KW - Geotechnical seismic isolation

KW - Soil-foundation-structure interaction

KW - Sliding

KW - Rocking

KW - Energy dissipation

KW - Resilient design

KW - Retrofit

U2 - 10.1016/j.soildyn.2025.109627

DO - 10.1016/j.soildyn.2025.109627

M3 - Article

SN - 0267-7261

VL - 198

JO - Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering

JF - Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering

M1 - 109627

ER -

Geotechnical Seismic Isolation (GSI): State of the art

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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