Certain simple problems in dynamic soil–structure interaction were investigated experimentally—in particular the rocking behaviour of rigid foundations on cohesionless soil. This was done using model tests in a geotechnical centrifuge, in order to preserve the correct level of stress in the soil.These tests observed the behaviour of model towers with rigid foundations of varying sizes and geometries. Perturbation of a tower allowed the dynamic properties to be measured and the stiffness of the foundation to be evaluated. Simple elastic theory satisfactorily predicted the observed behaviour, provided that appropriate assumptions were made about the soil stress under the foundation, and an empirical rule is suggested. The limitations of a more elaborate analysis are demonstrated. It was also possible to observe that the foundation stiffness for embedded foundations appeared to be overestimated theoretically and that the effect of dynamic interaction between adjacent towers appeared to be small.