A New Cable-Truss Structure for Roadway Driving Next to Goaf

The roof deformation and damage of roadway driving next to goaf in the vertical and horizontal directions are serious, the process of horizontal squeezing–expansion is difficult to be controlled using the traditional anchor truss structure. To solve this problem, a new type of cable-truss structure was designed to effectively control the deformation and damage of the roof along the vertical and horizontal directions. Besides, it had the function of horizontal bidirectional constant resistance. The mechanism of the structure is explained first. Then, the basic mechanical properties obtained through laboratory tests are presented. Finally, field practice is discussed. The results show that the new cable-truss structure has a load bearing force acting on its combination beam according to the horizontal movement of roadway roof. It can also adjust its length to prevent or adapt to the horizontal squeezing-expansion movement of roof, which ensures that the combination beam will not be distorted, torn, or broken. Thus, this new cable-truss structure can effectively mitigate the roof-caving accidents.