Recent studies have highlighted the potential benefits of allowing inelastic foundation response during strong seismic shaking. This approach, known as rocking isolation, reduces the moment at the base of the column by transferring the plastic joint beneath the foundation and into the soil bed. This mechanism acts as a fuse, preventing damage to the superstructure. However, structures with a low static safety factor against vertical loads (FSv) may experience unacceptable settlements during earthquakes. To address this, shallow soil improvement is proposed to ensure sufficient safety and mitigate risks. In this study, a small-scale physical model of a foundation and structure (SDOF model, n = 40) was placed on dense sandy soil, and seismic loading was simulated using lateral displacement applied by an actuator. A group of short-yielding piles with varying bearing capacities (QU/NU = 0.1-0.8) was installed beneath the rocking foundation. The results of the small-scale tests demonstrate that the use of short-yielding piles during seismic loading reduces the settlement of the shallow foundation by up to 50% and increases rotational damping by 59%. This is achieved through the frictional yielding of the pile wall and the yielding of the pile tip, which dissipate energy and enhance the overall seismic performance of the foundation. The findings suggest that incorporating yielding pile groups in the design of rocking foundations can significantly improve their seismic performance by reducing settlement and increasing energy dissipation, making it a viable strategy for enhancing the resilience of structures in earthquake-prone areas. The optimal bearing capacity ratio (QU/NU = 0.25-0.5) provides a straightforward guideline for designing cost-effective seismic retrofits.

Rocking shallow foundations interrupt the seismic transmission path from the base of the structure and possess advantages, such as effective seismic isolation, self-resetting capabilities post-earthquake, and low costs. A numerical model of the rocking shallow foundation was developed in OpenSees (version: Opensees 3.5.0) based on field test data using numerical simulation. The effect of different parameters (column height, foundation sizes, top mass, and soil softness and stiffness) on the seismic response characteristics of rocking shallow foundations is investigated, and the seismic response characteristics of rocking shallow foundations are analyzed under the action of sinusoidal waves of different frequencies and various seismic wave types. The results of the study show that, as the height of the column increases, the bending moment decreases and settlement decreases; as the size of the foundation increases, the bending moment increases and settlement increases; as the mass of the top increases, the bending moment increases and settlement increases; and as the soil becomes softer, the bending moment decreases, and settlement increases. Inputting a sine wave that matches the structure's natural oscillation frequency may induce resonance. This phenomenon can significantly amplify the structure's vibrations; thus, it is essential to avoid external excitation frequencies that coincide with the foundation's natural oscillation frequency. Under seismic loading, the rocking shallow foundation can mitigate the bending moment in the superstructure. When the displacement ratio remains within -0.5 to 0.5 percent, the foundation settlement is minimal. However, when the absolute displacement ratio exceeds 0.5 percent, the soil exhibits plastic deformation characteristics, resulting in increased foundation settlement. This study is an important contribution to the improvement of seismic performance of buildings and an important reference for improving seismic design standards and practices for buildings in earthquake-prone areas. In the future, the seismic response characteristics of rocking shallow foundations under bidirectional seismic action will be investigated.