Abstract: The overburden structure and the law of strata behavior in working face are strongly influenced by the coal seam occurrence conditions. Using theoretical analysis ,similar simulation and field measurement, the structural characteristics of overburden and the laws of strata behavior in fully mechanized caving face under the condition of shallow depth and thick bedrock were studied. The results show that the lower tangential tensile strength results in the layered collapse of the thick basic roof. The displacement space and collapse shape of the high and low layers are obviously different. The hydraulic support mainly bears the weight load of rock mass within the height range of the caving zone, and then determines the working resistance of the support based on that. Finally, the correctness of the theoretical analysis is verified by the field measurement of strata behavior law. The research results provide an important basis for the support selection and rock pressure control of working face under similar geological conditions.