Abstract: A simplified mechanical model of pillar-hang wall was established in asymmetric mining and instability of the system was discussed by means of potential energy principle and cusp catastrophe theory. The necessary-sufficient condition and the jump value of displacement of pillar and the released energy expressions were derived, which established foundation for quantifying of the instability of system. The results show that instability of the system is related to load and its stiffness distribution. The critical load increases with the increasing relative stiffness, and the system is more stable. On the contrary, the instability of system is likely to occur, and the released energy is larger in instability process, and the harm is more tremendous accordingly. Furthermore, an example was calculated,and the estimated results are in good agreement with the practical experience, which provide basis for mining order and arranging stope.

Key words: potential energy, cusp catastrophe, asymmetric mining, pillar, stability