## 5 Conclusions  
This paper has focused on the lateral loading mechanism of the gob-side entry retaining support. A comprehensive approach was used, including laboratory tests, a theoretical analysis, numerical simulations, and field engineering practice. The study separately investigated the lateral loading characteristics of the gob-side entry retaining support under the rotation of the roof and the compressive deformation of the gob material. An effective lateral load-reduction control plan for the gob-side entry retaining surrounding rock was proposed. Based on specific production conditions, field practice was carried out, and the main results obtained are as follows:  
1. Based on the failure characteristics of the roof, a simply supported beam hinge structure model during the rotation of the key block was constructed to indirectly derive the lateral loading expression of the gob-side entry retaining support. 2. Based on the Coulomb soil mechanics model, the lateral loading characteristics of the gob-side entry retaining support under the compaction of gangue in the goat were obtained, determining the relationship between resistance and factors such as the mining height and swelling coefficient. By combining the analysis of roof rotation, the stability of the lateral load on the retaining wall was examined in relation to support height, width, and the dynamic friction coefficient of the roof and floor. Numerical simulations were used to obtain the lateral loading curve of the retaining wall under the combined effect of roof rotation and gangue compaction. 3. Based on the above research, a combined lateral load-reduction control technology for gob-side entry retaining support, termed \"Cutting roof and Enhancing support strength,\" is proposed. The effect of cutting on the lateral load reduction in the retaining support was simulated, and the relationship between the cutting angle, support width, and lateral load-reduction characteristics was discussed. Based on the geological conditions of the coal seam in the 15,150 working face, suitable parameters were determined: a cutting height of 21.4 m, a cutting angle of 20\({}^{\circ}\), and a retaining support width of 1.6 m. Monitoring through the field installation of measuring points showed that the lateral deformation of the retaining support was effectively controlled, demonstrating the feasibility of the lateral load-reduction control technology. This paper has preliminarily explored the lateral response characteristics of the roadway-side support under the collapse of overlying strata and the compaction of gangue in the gob. Further research is needed to expand on these findings. For example, the influence of geological structures, as well as the coupling characteristics between the roof, floor, and roadway-side support, on the lateral loading of the support could be considered. Additionally, the lateral movement control technology of the surrounding rock for roadway-side support proposed in this paper is primarily based on roof control techniques, with limited research on direct control techniques for gangue in the gob. The results show that the lateral deformation of the roadside support body is effectively controlled, demonstrating the feasibility of the lateral load-reduction control technology. Conceptualization, Y.J. and Y.X. ; funding acquisition, J.B.; investigation, Y.J. ; methodology, Y.J. ; supervision, Y.L. and J.L. ; writing--original draft, Y.J. ; writing--review and editing, Y.X. and Y.L. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript. The research described in this paper was financially supported by the key projects of the Joint Fund of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. U21A200706), and the sponsor is [PERSON]. Not applicable. Data Availability Statement: The data presented in this study are available upon request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to privacy. The authors are grateful to the China University of Mining and Technology.