Abstract: In view of skarn rocks and red slate rocks in Zhangjiawa Iron Mine of Minmetals Luzhong Mining Co.，Ltd.，experimental studies on swelling deformation and release rules of soft rocks are carried on by adopting the dry-wet circulation method under the equal conditions. Experiment results show that the rock's swelling releases gradually with the cycle number increasing，and finally tends to be a fixed value. The rules described above provide theoretical basis for the support of soft rocks.

Key words: Rock mechanics, Soft rock, Swelling characteristics, Swelling deformation release