The invention discloses a centrifugal model test device for tunnel excavation. The centrifugal model test device for tunnel excavation comprises a geotechnical centrifuge and a model box which can be fixed on the geotechnical centrifuge, wherein a propelling device is arranged in the model box and can perform propelling movement in the model box; a detection device is arranged in front of the propelling direction of the propelling device and is used for detecting the sedimentation deformation of a simulated soil environment around the propelling device when the propelling device performs the propelling movement; and the position of the detection device is fixed relative to the model box during a test. According to the invention, the geotechnical centrifuge is used for enabling the model box to rotate around a rotating shaft, so that centrifugal force is generated in the simulated soil environment in the model box; although the model is reduced in scale relative to the actual condition, the reduction of the self-weight stress of the soil can be compensated by the centrifugal force, so that the model has the same stress field environment as the actual engineering and can simulate the deformation consistent with the engineering.