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The objective of this paper is to investigate the buckling mechanism of pillar rockbursts in underground hard rock mines from an innovative point of view. By considering rockbursts as a buckling (instability) problem of structures, rockbursts are classified into three categories: induced rockburst, triggered rockburst and inherent rockburst, in accordance with the magnitude of the dynamic stimulation force from large to null. Rigorous mathematical models are set up for these three rockbursts. For induced and triggered rockbursts, mechanism of parametric resonance is found and perturbation effect is observed. For inherent rockbursts, the condition of critical static loads is obtained. Various examples of rockbursts in Dongguashan Copper Mine are analysed. The limitations of the approach are addressed. Contrary to conventional methods where only rock materials or rock specimens were used for investigation of rockbursts, this study attaches more attention on the structural effect on rockbursts, which may appeal to practising engineers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the main hazards during tunnel boring machine (TBM) excavation in hard rock is related to the occurrence of unforeseen adverse conditions, leading to unfavourable rock mass behaviour during tunnel boring. In this respect, the continuous analyses of TBM excavation parameters may represent an interesting tool for a continuous monitoring of geotechnical conditions at the tunnel face and for early detection of changing ground conditions in the rock mass. This work provides a back‐analysis of TBM data recorded during the excavation of the Frejus Safety Tunnel, bored across the French‐Italian border in the Western Alps. It is a 13 km‐long tunnel excavated by a 9.4 m diameter, single‐shield TBM through strongly anisotropic calcareous schist, with cover up to 1800 m. Main problems faced during TBM excavation were related to the local occurrence of buckling‐related convergence and consequent asymmetrical loading on the precast segment rings. Correlating TBM performance parameters to the encountered geological and geomechanical conditions provides the possibility to identify which parameters are most affected by geomechanical properties of the rock mass at the tunnel face and by rock mass behaviour. Conversely, the analysis indicates which parameters can be adopted as monitoring tool of ground conditions during TBM advance. In addition, this work highlights how buckling phenomena can be distinguished, in terms of TBM operation and performance, from other adverse conditions as, e.g., blocky ground or squeezing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]