According to the thermal infrared images which were obtained from a model tests for soft rock roadway under loading,fractal analyses were made on the infrared radiation temperature field,the fractal dimensions of thermal infrared images were calculated and their implications were studied.Through carefully examining the changes of fractal dimensions with time,the laws of deformation and failure of the soft rock roadway were revealed.The fractal dimensions from thermal infrared images can denote the complexity,the patterns and the scale of the cracks and fractures in geometry,and the temporal curves of the fractals can also denote the dynamic characteristics during the deformation process of soft rock roadway.The studied results demonstrate that the fractal dimensions from thermal infrared images can used to analyze,estimate and predict the deformation and damage-failure of rock and forewarning of its damage.