Abstract: Using the low-energy explosive loading and the digital speckle correlation method, the law of roadway deformation of energy absorbing supports is studied by similarity simulation experiments. The experimental results illustrate that cracks firstly appear in the roof under explosive loading, and transverse cracks appear at the top of the model by repeated action of impact wave. Also, digital speckle pattern observations show that the roof has sinking deformation about 0.6 mm. But, there is no displacement between coal body and upper roadway, and the roadway and the surrounding rock have no damage. It is proved that the energy absorbing support can absorb large impact energy and reduce the roadway damage effectively. The simulated results show that the energy absorbing support can reduce the roadway destruction evidently. It is practical for safety mining engineering and also provides a new method for roadway support.