This paper presents an innovative approach to developing rock-like similar materials with different tension-compression ratios and evaluates the TBM excavation process. The study aims to address the challenges of long curing times for rock similar materials and simplified tunneling simulation devices in geomechanical model testing. An early-strength, brittle rock-like material was developed using sulphoaluminate cement and ordinary Portland cement as binders, which significantly improves the compressive-tensile ratio of the material. A self-developed scaled TBM testing machine was used to simulate rock breaking processes. The results show that the impact zone of TBM tunneling primarily includes the surrounding rock within 0.5D in front of the tunnel face and 2D at the rear. The proposed method for similar material preparation and the model test device can serve as valuable references for similar tunneling experiments. The development of rock-like similar materials is crucial for model tests under various geological conditions. Previous studies have used various materials, but the use of organic binders is costly, and materials prepared with ordinary Portland cement have long setting times. By combining sulphoaluminate cement and ordinary cement as binders, the early strength characteristics of sulphoaluminate cement can be fully utilized, reducing the curing time required for rock similar material preparation and ensuring high stability of the test block. The study also highlights the importance of developing a TBM scale test machine to accurately represent the interaction between the cutterhead and the rock mass during tunneling. However, existing literature predominantly describes simplified experimental setups. The research results enrich the design scheme of rock similar materials and provide valuable references for the development of TBM model tests under different geological conditions.This paper presents an innovative approach to developing rock-like similar materials with different tension-compression ratios and evaluates the TBM excavation process. The study aims to address the challenges of long curing times for rock similar materials and simplified tunneling simulation devices in geomechanical model testing. An early-strength, brittle rock-like material was developed using sulphoaluminate cement and ordinary Portland cement as binders, which significantly improves the compressive-tensile ratio of the material. A self-developed scaled TBM testing machine was used to simulate rock breaking processes. The results show that the impact zone of TBM tunneling primarily includes the surrounding rock within 0.5D in front of the tunnel face and 2D at the rear. The proposed method for similar material preparation and the model test device can serve as valuable references for similar tunneling experiments. The development of rock-like similar materials is crucial for model tests under various geological conditions. Previous studies have used various materials, but the use of organic binders is costly, and materials prepared with ordinary Portland cement have long setting times. By combining sulphoaluminate cement and ordinary cement as binders, the early strength characteristics of sulphoaluminate cement can be fully utilized, reducing the curing time required for rock similar material preparation and ensuring high stability of the test block. The study also highlights the importance of developing a TBM scale test machine to accurately represent the interaction between the cutterhead and the rock mass during tunneling. However, existing literature predominantly describes simplified experimental setups. The research results enrich the design scheme of rock similar materials and provide valuable references for the development of TBM model tests under different geological conditions.