Theoretical determination method and field verification of the fracture position of the main roof of the gob-side coal-rock roadway in gently inclined coal seam

In order to provide a theoretical determination method for the fracture position of the main roof of the gob-side coal-rock roadway in a gently inclined coal seam (GCRGICS), a mechanical model of the overlying strata structure and a mechanical model of the coal rock body in the limit equilibrium zone were established based on the elastic–plastic limit equilibrium theory. The theoretical calculation formula of the fracture position of the main roof of the GCRGICS was derived. The fracture position of the main roof theory calculation and field test verification were carried out on 1511, 1509, and 151608 return airflow roadways with similar geological conditions in the Panjiang mining area of Guizhou Province. Combined with the similar simulation experimental results of the 1511 return airflow roadway, the differences between the similar simulation, field test and theoretical calculation results were all less than 1, which verified the practicality and reliability of the method. This method can be used to guide the reasonable width of coal pillar retention and the control of the surrounding rock in this type of roadway.