Research and application of hydraulic support simulationsystem for large-scale working face physical modeling experiment

The hydraulic support simulation equipment plays a key role in ground pressure physical modeling. In order to accurately simulate the operating conditions of prototype support，the authors fully reference mechanical structure and function features of existing simulation device, and have developed a new type of support simulation equipment based on hydraulic control principle, which consists of the following components: pump station power system, the hydraulic control device, support model, condition monitoring devices and signal processing system. Mechanical calibration results indicate that jack pressure maintains linear relationship with its working resistance, and the correlation coefficient is above 0.99.The equipment is of high linearity, repeatability, and stable mechanical properties, etc. The application in large-scale physical modeling shows that it can simulate resistance characteristics of prototype support, and resistance fluctuations can reflect roof periodic weighting process. By adopting the new simulation equipment, a series of fundamental researches can be conducted, such as roof periodic weighting characteristics, prototype support optimization and assessment of adaptability, and interaction correlation of support versus roof, which can finally benefit the supporting scheme for the working face.