Abstract: According to the deformation characteristic of surrounding rock in deep thick top coal roadway, guided by the support idea of controlling at first, pressure yielding behind and then resistance, four schemes of pressure relief anchor cable box beam support system are designed, of which beam arrangement mode are lateral beam, longitudinal single beam, longitudinal double beams and longitudinal-lateral combined beam respectively. The results of numerical test show that, among the four schemes, longitudinal-lateral combined beam scheme is best in surrounding rock controlling; lateral beam scheme is relatively worst. The four schemes are applied to field test. The monitoring results show that the surrounding rock deformation of test section with longitudinal-lateral combined beam scheme is least; the sides deformation is 120 mm and the roof deformation is 90 mm. Meanwhile, bolts and anchor cables have the largest supporting reaction in this scheme. The force measuring anchor cable box beams are designed and made. The monitoring results show that box beam stress conditions are reasonable and coordinate, material is used fully. In the four schemes, supporting and protecting components reaction corresponding with the effect of the roadway control, and the effect of anchor cable yielding ring is obvious. Mechanisms of support systems are analyzed. Under the geological conditions of deep thick top coal roadway, longitudinal-lateral combined beam and longitudinal single beam schemes of pressure relief anchor cable box beam support system are better for controlling surrouding rock deformation in a cost-effective way; and the supporting demand is satisfied.

Key words: box supporting beam, pressure relief, support system, arrangement mode, numerical test, field test