Roof cracks investigation and cracking mechanism analysis of Niuchang ancient cave in Longyou, Southeast China

Longmen Grottoes, including the Niuchang ancient cave, exhibit unique geological and mechanical characteristics that distinguish them from other global heritage sites. These include large-scale structures, shallow burial depths, weak rock masses, inclined roofs, and distinct sculpted pillars, all of which provide valuable natural laboratories for studying rock mechanics and engineering geology. The caves' proximity without connection, overlapping levels, and varied time-dependent deformations under different environmental conditions—such as underwater, half-underwater, or dry—offer rare insights into long-term rock stability. Despite extensive research on short-term water effects on rock deformation, knowledge gaps persist regarding the durability of rock masses over centuries or millennia. This study highlights the Niuchang cave's structural integrity and cracking mechanisms, underscoring its significance for both academic inquiry and practical preservation efforts.

(Ed.). (2015). Roof cracks investigation and cracking mechanism analysis of Niuchang ancient cave in Longyou, Southeast China. Ancient Underground Opening and Preservation, 55–66. https://doi.org/10.1201/b19169-10