Based on the traditional top-cutting and pressure-relieving goal-side roadway retention technology, it is difficult to control roof deformation and collapse. In order to better master the crack propagation law of roof during top-cutting and pressure-relieving, a scheme of top-cutting and pressure-relieving by directional perforation and simultaneous fracturing was proposed and tested. In the process of traditional fracturing test, perforation spacing and fluid injection flow rate have a great impact on the fracture propagation effect. In this paper, through the true triaxial fracturing seepage simulation test system combined with acoustic emission monitoring system, a 300 mm cubic sandstone specimen was used for simulation test. The results show that: (1) AE event distribution map monitored by AE can well reflect the fracture propagation morphology and fracture propagation law at each stage of the specimen in the fracturing process; (2) The fracture length, initiation pressure and fracture mesh area increase with the increase of transverse perforation spacing, while the fracture width decreases with the increase of transverse perforation spacing. (3) With the increase of liquid injection rate, the secondary fractures produced by the main fracture are less, the fracture migration is also reduced, and the complex fractures become single; (4) In the initial stage of fracturing, the fracture starts from each perforated end. With the progress of fracturing, the fracture at the perforated end becomes complicated, but will expand along the perforated direction to form a transverse perforated through fracture. Finally, the fracture starts from the middle of the specimen surface to extend to both ends. The analysis of the influence of the above factors can provide a certain reference for the design and construction of directional perforating roof cutting pressure relief.