An Integrated Multi-Criteria Risk-Assessment Framework for Rockburst in Underground Construction

Rockburst is among the most critical hazards in underground construction, and it is caused by complex interactions among in-situ stress, rock mass conditions and excavation processes. This study proposes an integrated multi-criteria risk-assessment framework that combines failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA); value-function modelling; and the combined compromise solution (CoCoSo) methods to analyse ruckburst risk. Unlike existing rockburst risk-assessment approaches that rely on single aggregation schemes or purely predictive models, the proposed framework enables robust and consistent prioritisation of failure modes by incorporating expert judgement, multiple value-function mappings and compromise-based decision aggregation. Six weighted criteria—severity, occurrence likelihood, detection difficulty, cost, response timeliness and success likelihood—were applied to 20 representative rockburst-related failure modes. The results consistently identify microcrack development, ground-anchor failure, stress redistribution and support failure as the most critical risks across all aggregation schemes. The proposed framework provides a practical decision-support tool for underground construction projects, supporting targeted monitoring, optimised support design and proactive risk-mitigation strategies.