Abstract: A periodic structure has band-gap characteristics so that the vibrations or waves in the band-gap frequency range cannot propagate in the structure. A partially embedded periodic barrier for Rayleigh surface waves is designed for soil with a covered layer. The influences of the covered layer thickness and the embedded depth of the barrier on the band gaps are discussed. The frequency responses to the El Centro seismic waves are analyzed. The results show that the partially embedded Rayleigh surface wave barrier with I-shaped cross section exhibits good performance on the isolation of the El Centro seismic surface waves.