Rock failure criteria and mechanisms of failure for excavation stability design: a chronological evolution

Failure of rock, when it does occur, follows definite mechanical laws and that its probability, can, at least in some instances, be predicted sufficiently in advance of actual occurrence so as to prevent any great danger to the miner. The article chronologically describes rock failure criteria of some practical and most frequently featured strength criteria for predicting failure mechanism of rocks from rock sample or models (lab scale) to total structure or rock mass breakdown (field scale). A cross section range of criteria, from the typical and indispensable to state of the art ones, categorised under isotropic or anisotropic, stress, strain and energy related failure criteria that are predominantly derived on the basis of Coulomb, von Mises and Griffith theories of failure are reviewed. More attention and discussion has been given to most practical criteria like the Mohr-Coulomb and Hoek-Brown. Evolution of mechanisms of rock failure over time by various authors. The paper demonstrates progression of rock failure criteria, and that current theories hinge on classical ones.