Rockbursts in deep tunnels traversing stratified rock under impact loading pose significant safety challenges. The split Hopkinson pressure bar experimental system was combined with finite element modeling in this study to explore the effects of weak interlayer position and crustal stress on the rockburst. Three simplified mechanical models with varying interlayer configurations were subjected to impact loading under different crustal stresses, and failure processes were captured using high-speed photography and digital image correlation. Numerical simulations were validated experimentally and provided insights into stress and energy dynamics. It was revealed that the position of the weak interlayer governs the location and intensity of the rockburst. The lateral weak interlayers increase the brittleness index at the tunnel shoulder and foot by 197.75% and 143.40%. A nonlinear influence of crustal stress on damage was observed, accompanied by strain hardening effects.
Qiu et al. (2026) studied this question.