AbstractA method for the dynamic finite element analysis of a non‐axisymmetric soil model with an axisymmetric boundary is presented. In the non‐axisymmetric soil domain an arbitrary discretization with three‐dimensional isoparametric solid elements is used. At the boundary a transmitting element is arranged. It is based on the semi‐analytical element of Waas and Kausel. The transformation of the stiffness matrix of the Waas/Kausel element with cyclic symmetric displacements to general displacement fields is presented. For earthquake excitation the forces acting on the discretized domain are given. The method is illustrated by the dynamic analysis of an embedded box‐type building. The distribution and magnitude of significant section forces are