Abstract: On the basis of theoretical analysis of overburden failure form characteristics in the process of steeply-inclined coal seam mining, it took 1100307 working face mining of Xinji No.3 Coal Mine as the backgroud. Combined with electrical detection results of the working face, it determined the development characteristics of "two zone" by using FLAC^3D sofeware to simulate the movement process of roof strata caused by coal mining. The "two zone" development was like inverted "厂" shape in general. The scope of the overburden failure mainly located in the bottom of uphill direction of the goaf. The direct roof strata was snipped or slided, the goaf was filled and formed "masonry arch" structure.