Abstract: In this paper, more than ten kinds of common inrush water disaster prevention methods are classified and summarised by comprehensively considering the geological conditions and theoretical analysis models. These prevention methods are further unified with two types of inrush water disasters for water-damage rock mass failure and filling structure instability. For the water-breaking rock mass destruction type water inrush, the calculation formulas are classified according to the mechanical model and its applicable objects, and the minimum safe thickness calculation formula of the single crack extended three-zone model is improved. By comparing the calculation results of each formula under different working conditions, the results show that the three-dimensional (3D) rock-column shear model applicable to the intact rock and the single crack extended three-zone model applicable to the fractured rock mass are consistent with the empirical formula, which proves high accuracy and applicability. In terms of the unstable water inrush type of filling structure, it should be pointed out that the start-up force analysis of particles is suitable for judging the beginning of the seepage instability of the filling media and the fluid flow transition can be used as the critical criterion for the occurrence of seepage failure. Finally, this paper systematically evaluates the applicable conditions, judgment criteria, advantages and disadvantages of theoretical analysis, numerical simulations, model tests and engineering analogy. The results provide guidance and reference for the selection of monitoring objects, identification of disaster status and disaster warning in engineering projects.

Key words: types of water inrush, failure of water-resisting rock, failure of filling media, applicability evaluation, the minimum safe thickness