Abstract: In order to study the effect of different advancing speed on the roof overburden, the beam model of roof failure was established, and the mechanical properties under different loading rates were analyzed by rock mechanics test. The research shows that the advancing process of working face can be regarded as the loading of the rock mass, and influences the activity of roof overlying rock to further affect the load rate of the rock mass. At low speed, the stress peak and displacement of roof are large, which is not conducive to the management of roof; when the propulsion speed is high, the material failure will change from plasticity to brittleness. In the process of mining, choosing a reasonable advancing speed can maximize the safety of production and achieve good economic benefits.