Abstract: As for the problem of intense roadway layout, long time existence, large mining influence and great maintenance difficulty in the mine with natural caving mining method, a comprehensive method including field investigation，laboratory test，theoretical analysis, underground roadway test and deformation measurement has been used to analyze the deformation failure characteristics and support difficulties. With the guidance of confining pressure restored reinforcement theory, the active and passive combined support system of the surrounding rock is put forward, and mudsill, roof-contacted filling and other enhanced support techniques are adopted. The industrial test shows that the roadway deformation can be controlled within 80 mm after support provided. This proposes support technology can effectively control the surround rock deformation in soft rock roadway, which ensures the safety and feasibility of natural caving method in soft rock.

Key words: natural caving method, soft rock, roadway support, deformation control