<p>This study investigates the mechanism of stratum disturbance response during pipe jacking through composite strata under multi-factor coupling effects through physical model tests. The experiment was designed with a geometric similarity ratio of 1:10 to simulate composite strata and pipeline conditions in actual engineering projects, with systematic monitoring of key parameters such as jacking force, soil stress, and spoil volume. The results indicate that the growth gradient of jacking force in composite strata increased by 22.4% compared to that in homogeneous strata, and its evolution was jointly regulated by stratum interface characteristics and construction parameters. The stratum disturbance exhibited significant depth-dependent effects: in the near-pipe region (within 1<i>D</i>), soil stress showed a “V”-shaped distribution, while in the far-field region (&gt; 1<i>D</i>), it transitioned to a “U”-shaped distribution due to the stiffness effect of existing pipelines. When spoil volume fluctuated at the stratum interface, the soil stress directly above the cutterhead dropped sharply, with the maximum stress variation differing by up to 6.2 times across different depths. The underground pipelines altered the stress transmission path through their stiffness effect, bearing additional bending moments while simultaneously reacting back on the stratum, thereby exacerbating the non-uniformity of stress distribution in the soil layers. The study reveals the dynamic coupling mechanism among jacking force, spoil volume, and stratum response in composite strata and proposes an interface crossing strategy based on synergistic control of jacking parameters, providing a theoretical basis for disturbance prediction and engineering control in pipe jacking construction through heterogeneous strata.</p>