Abstract:With the development and utilization of deep resources, there is an increasing number of problems associated with deep rock masses. In environments characterized by high stress, high water pressure, and high temperature with more complex crack deformations (including zone cracks, rock blasts, splits on side walls, and plastic fluids), deep rock masses exhibit different corresponding characteristics than those of shallow rock masses. In this study, to precisely describe the deformation laws of deep rock masses, we used PFC software to examine the macro-responses of deep rock masses by micro-scale stimulation. The results show that with increased depth, temperature, and pressure, the plastic damage in shallow surrounding rock becomes crack damage in deep surrounding rock, with crack zones and alternating zonal disintegration with depth. The spacing of the crack zone is related to the rock mass properties and depth. In the cross section of tunnels, the first crack zone appears in the haunch of the arch and then at the arch springing line, eventually becoming an entire crack zone. If pressure is exerted on the surface of the surrounding rock, the crack zone will decrease and move into the deep area. As such, a pre-stressed anchor can effectively improve the bearing characteristics of surrounding rock and reduce the number of cracks. These results agree with model-test data and also reflect the deformation law of deep rock masses. These conclusions provide a valuable reference for the design and construction of deep underground engineering projects.