Abstract: The shield cutting reinforced concrete piles involves a transient dynamic process between the disc cutter and the reinforced concrete. This study uses a Finite Element Method (FEM) and Discrete Element Method (DEM) coupled model to perform a three-dimensional transient dynamic analysis of the shield disc cutter cutting reinforced concrete piles. In the FEM-DEM coupled model, the mechanical behavior of concrete is described using DEM,while the effect of rebar in the concrete is simulated with FEM. The accuracy and reliability of the numerical simulation results were verified by laboratory tests, showing a good agreement between the simulation results and experimental data. Additionally, the study analyzes the impact of shield machine penetration and cutterhead rotational speed on the cutting performance of the disc cutter, providing optimal penetration, cutterhead rotational speed, and tunnelling mode for cutting reinforced concrete piles.