Evaluating the Core-Based Stress Measurement in Mining Engineering—A Critical Review of the Diametrical Core Deformation Technique

Accurate determination of in situ stress is fundamental for the safe and efficient design of underground construction projects such as tunnels, caverns, and deep mining excavations. Conventional techniques—particularly overcoring and hydraulic fracturing—have been widely adopted for decades, but their practical use is often constrained by high operational cost, rigorous field requirements, and logistical limitations at depth. As engineering projects advance into deeper and more complex geological environments, these constraints have prompted growing interest in laboratory-based, core-derived stress measurement approaches. Such methods utilize the stress-relief deformation that occurs when drill cores are extracted, enabling stress estimation without extensive downhole instrumentation. This paper presents a critical review of core-based stress measurement techniques based on a structured survey of peer-reviewed literature retrieved from major scientific databases (Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar), covering studies published from the 1960s to 2025. The review examines Anelastic Strain Recovery (ASR), Differential Strain Curve Analysis (DSCA), Deformation Rate Analysis (DRA), acoustic-emission-based Kaiser effect approaches, and the emerging Diametrical Core Deformation Technique (DCDT). Recent studies show that DCDT, which measures instantaneous elastic diametrical deformation of cores, provides a more direct and physically transparent link to differential in situ stress, with reduced sensitivity to time-dependent effects. The DCDT, based on precise measurement of instantaneous elastic deformation upon coring, offers high-resolution stress estimation with minimal disruption to field operations. Its compatibility with optical scanning, laser micrometers, and CT imaging highlights its potential as a practical alternative to conventional techniques. A comparative synthesis of assumptions, accuracy, and applicability is provided, and key limitations and future research needs of core-based stress measurement methods are identified. The findings of this review provide practical guidance for selecting stress measurement techniques and support the application of core-based methods, particularly DCDT, in deep underground engineering, where cost-effective and reliable stress characterization is required.