The long-term seepage of the rammed earth foundation (REF) has a great influence on the safety of the superstructure and the appearance of the ancient building. It is vital to explore the anti-seepage measures for the top of the REF. In this study

a scale model with a size of 1:18 compared with the real size of the REF was established. The rainfall infiltration tests were carried out to study the anti-seepage effect of the plain soil with compaction method and different modified soils with replacement method on the top of the REF. The results showed that: 1) The rainfall infiltration was reduced by increasing the dry density of rammed earth by using compaction method. When the dry density of REF was increased by 10%

the depth of rainfall infiltration was reduced by more than 40%

and the wetting degree was reduced by about 50%. However

using compaction method could induce damage to the superstructure and the external masonry structure of foundation. 2) When the five kinds of modified soil were used for local replacement

the anti-permeability effect of tabia was better

followed by the modified soil of sticky rice flour and straw. Finally

it is suggested to adopt local replacement of modified soil and other structural measures to improve the anti-seepage effect of REF of ancient buildings.