Abstract：By analysing the stress state，deformation and failure of rock mass around tunnels at a variety of stages and at multi-level of stresses，the volumetric deformation state and its consequences are exhibited for the maximum supporting pressure zone. The relationships are derived between the condition for the occurrence of zonal disintegration phenomenon in deep rocks and the initial rock stresses，the total deformation process of rocks，and in special，the residual strengths of rocks at post-peak stresses. According to the condition for the occurrence of zonal disintegration phenomenon，a criterion is proposed for defining the shallow and the deep rock engineering：the shallow rock engineering corresponds to the depth to which the rock mass within the maximum supporting pressure zone does not fail；and the reverse is true for the deep rock engineering.
