Abstract: Based on the foundation pit project of a metro transfer station, the changing laws of the axial forces of struts with the excavation time are studied. A three-dimensional finite element model is established to numerically simulate the foundation pit of the metro station. The FEM and in-situ monitoring results of axial forces of struts are compared. The results show that the axial forces of the fourth concrete strut are the maximum, and the design values of the fifth and the sixth steel struts are conservative. Besides, the removal of a strut has a notable influence on its adjacent struts. The calculated results are less than the in-situ monitoring ones, but the trend of their changing laws is almost uniform. The three-dimensional finite element model can simulate the excavation process of abnormal foundation pits, and it can be used to provide reference for their design and construction.