Bandgap metamaterials for vibration control: Theories, design, fabrication, and applications

Bandgap metamaterials (BMMs) are a family of engineered materials capable of inhibiting wave propagation within specific frequency ranges, known as bandgaps. Featuring subwavelength wave attenuation, light weight, and tunability, they emerge as a transformative solution for vibration control of civil structures. Despite increasing attention, existing reviews primarily focus on theoretical models and small-scale prototypes, lacking systematic reviews that integrate design methods, scalable fabrication techniques, and real-world applications. This paper addresses these gaps by reviewing the categories, principles and theories, design methods, fabrication techniques, and representative applications of BMMs in the context of civil structures. The paper underscores a conceptual innovation by framing the design of BMMs in a “mechanism–design–fabrication–application” workflow, facilitating a holistic approach to integrating the design and fabrication of BMMs for target applications. The paper highlights the strengths and limitations of data-driven approaches in goal-oriented and customizable design and promotes knowledge-guided data-driven design that integrates physical constraints into machine learning models. This comprehensive review facilitates the transition of BMMs from theoretical or conceptual models to scalable, functional components in civil structures.