The M-shaped multi-row pile foundation retaining structure represents an enhanced version of conventional multi-row anti-sliding support systems. To date, the implementation of M-shaped pile configurations in foundation pit excavations has not been extensively investigated, with particularly scant research focusing on their load-bearing mechanisms and stress redistribution characteristics. Furthermore, numerical modeling methodologies for such geometrically optimized pile networks remain underdeveloped compared to practical engineering applications, creating a notable research-practice gap in geotechnical engineering. A comparative finite element analysis was systematically conducted using ABAQUS software to establish three distinct excavation support configurations: single-row cantilever retaining structures, three-row cantilever configurations, and M-shaped multi-row pile foundation systems. Subsequent numerical simulations enabled quantitative comparisons of critical performance indicators, including pile stress distribution patterns, lateral displacement profiles, and bending moment diagrams across different structural typologies. The parametric investigation revealed characteristic mechanical responses associated with each configuration, establishing corresponding mechanical principles governing the interaction between pile topology and soil-structure behavior.towers. The findings of this study provide critical references for the design optimization of M-shaped multi-row pile foundation retaining systems.