<p>Frequent blasting operations in deep-buried tunnels through layered rock masses induce cumulative damage to the surrounding rock, posing significant challenges to excavation projects. The appreciation of the spatial distribution of the blast-induced damage zone (BIDZ) is key to both safety assessment and risk mitigation. In this study, a coupled tensile and compression-shear damage constitutive model was employed to characterize the damage distribution of tunnel subjected to multiple full-face blasting operations. The millisecond-delayed detonation technique was simulated to predict the BIDZ. The results were validated through field tests. The results indicate that the layered rock mass significantly influences cumulative damage effects, with maximum and minimum damage depths occurring at the tunnel roof and arch foot, respectively. The BIDZ along the tunnel axis exhibits progressive accumulation under cyclic excavation blasting, extending approximately 2.5–3 times the tunnel diameter behind the working face, while a cumulative damage zone of 1–1.5 times the tunnel diameter was identified ahead of the working face. Furthermore, parametric studies demonstrate that optimized loading rates and reduced delay times minimize the cumulative BIDZ. Based on these findings, a novel safety control criterion integrating damage and vibration control was proposed, offering improved accuracy and broader applicability. The findings highlight the paramount importance of accounting for cumulative damage effects in the stability assessment and design optimization of tunnels situated in layered rock masses subjected to frequent blasting operations.</p>