Abstract: SDAES digital acoustic emission (AE) instrument and the rock acoustic parameter testing system were used in the acoustic emission tests at uniaxial compression on two rock groups from Yunnan Dahongshan Copper Mine for studying the intrinsic acoustic emission characteristics of the rocks in relation to the time, stress and deformation during the uniaxial loading process, comparing the acoustic emission characteristics of the two groups of rock and on this basis, analyzing the breakage mechanism of the rocks. The result indicates that the acoustic emission regularities of the two groups of rock are basically the same. Except in the initial loading stage, there is good correlation between the rock acoustic emission activity and the volumetric deformation of the sample rocks. The micro-fracture formation and the expansion of the original fractures are the main cause for their acoustic emission and volumetric deformation. The acoustic emission rate does not fully accord with that of energy in the rock breakage process, with the former more sensitive than the latter and therefore more suitable for use in predicting the rock failure.

Key words: Rock mechanics, Acoustic emission, Uniaxial compression, Energy rate, Acoustic emission rate, Failure