Considering　the　micro-arching　effect　between　pipe　umbrella,　the　paper　investigates　the　mechanical　response　of　pipe　umbrellas　during　tunnel　excavation　by　simulating　pipe　umbrellas　as　Timoshenko　beams　on　a　Pasternak　foundation.　The　finite　difference　method　is　employed　to　solve　the　deflection,　bending　moment,　and　shear　force　of　pipe　umbrellas.　By　analyzing　and　contrasting　with　real-world　engineering　monitoring　data,　finite　element　computation　results,　and　existing　theories　of　other　researchers,　the　reliability　of　the　proposed　method　is　verified,　and　good　agreements　are　observed.　A　new　parameter　δp　is　introduced　in　our　method　to　represent　the　proportion　of　overlying　load　transmitted　through　the　pipe　umbrella,　and　influences　of　stiffness　of　the　surrounding　rock　in　front　of　the　tunnel　face,　initial　support　stiffness,　pipe　umbrella　design　schemes,　and　excavation　depth　on　the　load　transfer　capacity　of　the　pipe　umbrella　are　subsequently　investigated.　The　conclusions　reveal　that　increases　of　surrounding　rock　stiffness,　initial　support　stiffness,　and　diameter　of　pipe　umbrellas　would　all　enhance　the　stability　of　both　the　tunnel　and　pipe　umbrellas.　However,　such　enhancements　have　certain　limitations.　Particularly,　when　the　excavation　footage　c　©　2023　Elsevier　Ltd