An experimental study of a yielding support for roadways constructed in deep broken soft rock under high stress

A rationally designed support for deep roadways excavated in broken soft rock under high stress was investigated. The deformation and failure characteristics and the mechanism of “yielding support” was studied for anchor bolts and cables. The rail roadway of the 2-501 working face in the Liyazhuang Mine of the Huozhou coal area located in Shanxi province was used for field trials. The geological conditions used there were used during the design phase. The new “highly resistant, yielding” support system has a core of high strength, yielding bolts and anchor cables. The field tests show that this support system adapts well to the deformation and pressure in the deep broken soft rock. The support system effectively controls damage to the roadway and ensures the long term stability of the wall rock and safe production in the coal mine. This provides a remarkable economic and social benefit and has broad prospects for further application.