Rock mechanics of deep mining engineering mainly refers to rock mechanics problems related to roadway engineering and stope engineering that are caused during the process of deep resource mining. With the increase of energy demand and the increase of mining intensity and increasingly shallow resources, mines have successively entered the state of deep resource exploitation.

With the continuous increase in mining depth, rocks may show characteristics such as large deformation and strong rheology. The number of deep engineering disasters is increasing, such as mine impact ground pressure, gas explosion, intensified mining pressure, large deformation of the surrounding rock of the roadway, rheology and elevated ground temperature, etc. It poses a huge threat to the safe and efficient exploitation of deep resources. Therefore, the problems of rock mechanics during the exploitation of deep resources have become the focus of research globally.

This Special Issue will collect high-quality original research articles and review papers reflecting the advances in the research on deep ground stress, fracture induction mechanism of deep rocks, strength and failure characteristics of deep rocks, multiple seepage theory under strong disturbance, deep mining stress field-energy field analysis, theory of deep high stress induction, and energy regulation. Submissions could be based on theoretical and numerical studies as well as laboratory experiments. Case studies from practice are also welcome.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Deep rock mass in-situ mechanics
• Rheological behavior and damage models of deep surrounding rocks
• Dynamic mechanical properties of rock masses with different stresses
• Rock mechanical properties under high water pressure
• Deep mining stress field-energy field analysis, simulation, and visualisation
• Multiple seepage theory under strong disturbance
• Rockburst characteristics of deep rock masses