In order to realize the mechanized construction of connection gallery in stable stratum, an open type rectangular pipe jacking machine is developed. The load distribution characteristics of the open type pipe jacking machine in soil, the static strength of the shield and the workspace of excavating arm are researched. The main studies and conclusions are drawn as follows: (1) The load distribution characteristics of the open rectangular pipe jacking machine in the soil are studied based on Protokiyakanov′s theory, and the force model of the shield is constructed. (2) The finite element analysis method is used to analyze the static strength of the shield, and the stress and deformation nephograms of the shield are obtained, which verifies that the shield meets the design requirements in terms of strength and stiffness. (3) The D-H method is used to model the kinematics of the excavating arm system, and the position vector of the excavating arm in the base coordinate system is obtained; the workspace of the excavating arm is analyzed by Monte Carlo method, and the point nephogram of the workspace is obtained. The research results can provide reference for the structure design and equipment control system construction of the open pipe jacking machine.