Resilience of rock engineering: concept, mechanism, evaluation and enhancement

Abstract Background Rock engineering systems face escalating threats from extreme climatic events and the complexities of deep engineering, necessitating robust resilience to withstand multi-hazard disturbances. Traditional methods, based on static equilibrium analysis, prove unsuited to address the dynamic, nonlinear interactions inherent in these systems. Objective This study proposes a resilience-oriented framework for rock engineering, emphasizing the system’s capacity to maintain or rapidly recover functionality following disturbances. The study proposes a conceptual model, evaluation method, and enhancement techniques to improve rock engineering resilience, based on the complex system science. Methods A unified disaster resilience management system is proposed, synergizing multi-field monitoring, risk assessment, and rapid recovery strategies. Three resilience-enhancing techniques are presented, including grouting reinforcement, resilient anchor support, and high-pressure anchor injection-spraying collaborative control, optimize stress redistribution and fracture resistance in rock masses. Results The framework redefines resilience as a quantifiable system property, enabling data-driven lifecycle management of geotechnical infrastructure. It provides actionable strategies to reconcile safety and sustainability in deep tunneling and slope stabilization projects. Conclusions By redefining resilience as a quantifiable system property rather than a qualitative goal, the framework enables data-driven lifecycle management of geotechnical infrastructure.