Abstract: According to the “four zones” division of mined-out area overburden and the movement characteristics of continuous deformation zone, this paper presents a view that movement of continuous deformation zone is controlled by the key rock stratum which locates at the bottom of continuous deformation zone and is close to the quasicontinuous zone; the sinking movement is referred to as approximately an elliptical table basic trajectory, the ultimate movement magnitude of continuous deformation zone is the superposition of elliptical table formed by internal strata movement, thus which forms an elliptic paraboloid movement trajectory. Based on this view, the deflection function of the continuous deformation zone is determined firstly. And then an elliptical table model of single stratum movement is put forward for the case of level and nearly horizontal seam mining in continuous deformation zone combining in combination with elastic thin plate theory; furthmore, a mathematical model of continuous deformation zone movement also is developed based on the superposition of single stratum movement. At last, the method of model parameters determination is given. The results enriches the research theory of continuous deformation zone movement, proving a new idea and method to study the movement and deformation of surface and strata.

Key words: “four zones” division, flexural settlement zone, elliptical table, elastic thin plate, movement prediction model