<p>Rock joints are commonly found in rock masses, and their mechanical properties play a crucial role in determining the overall strength and stability of rock masses. Shear slippage and failure along structurally weak joints can lead to instability in the rock mass, potentially causing severe geological events like landslides, tunnel collapses and rockbursts. Therefore, it is essential to study the shear behaviour of rock joints and their effects on rockbursts to prevent such occurrences and ensure safe tunnel construction. In this paper, three types of rock joints (plaster mortar joints, marble joints and granite joints) are reproduced using 3D printing and 3D carving technologies and each joint contains the same rough surface. Shear tests are conducted on these three joint types under varying normal stress conditions. The shearing properties and associated acoustic emission (AE) characteristics of different rock joints and their influence on fault slip rockbursts are addressed. The findings demonstrate that the post-peak stress drop values increase with increasing normal stresses, thereby enhancing the likelihood of fault slip rockbursts. Sudden stick-slip movements accompanied by rapid stress drops in granite joints can release significant strain energy, which is more likely to trigger fault slip rockbursts. Dynamic shear failure is prevalent in granite joints, which exhibit much higher AE energy release rates during shearing compared to other joint types, indicating a greater release of strain energy and an increased risk of fault slip rockbursts.</p>