Abstract: The right bank underground powerhouse area of Jinping-I Hydropower Station is characterized by complex geological conditions and high ground stress, causing a great adverse impact on the stability of surrounding rock. We analyzed the deformation and failure of surrounding rock of underground cavern in the construction stage systematically, and the influence of stress direction and axial direction of underground cavern on the deformation and failure of surrounding rock was summarized. The results show that the failure degree of surrounding rock has a close relation with cavern′s scale besides the principal stress, also the failure of surrounding rock caused by high ground stress has a feature of time-lag, so the time of conducting supporting construction is needed to study. The research results provided theoretical basis for the reasonable construction and support of the underground cavern, and could provide reference for axial layout of underground cavern and prevention of the deformation and failure of surrounding rock under high ground stress.