Abstract: Seismic surface waves with large amplitudes, long distances of propagation and low frequencies can cause great damage to structures. To isolate the seismic Rayleigh surface waves, periodic barriers with cruciform trenches distributed in a homogeneous semi-infinite soil substrate in a square lattice are designed and investigated. By using finite element method, numerical simulations were carried out on the band structures and the frequency responses of the surface wave barriers. The effects of the structure parameters on the complete band gaps were discussed. As an application example, the time-history responses to the Oroville seismic waves were analyzed. The results show that the periodic barriers with cruciform trenches present effective attenuation zones for lower frequencies, and exhibit good performance on the isolation of Oroville seismic surface waves.