[Purposes] The current design method of rod foundations does not consider the role of lateral earth pressure, which leads to a large size of the designed foundation and excessive occupation of urban underground space. Thus, it is necessary to optimize the method. [Methods] Firstly, a simplified calculation model of the force and deformation of the rigid rectangular foundation with multiple rods was established. Then, the moment equilibrium equations of the rod foundation were deduced and solved, and the results of the theoretical calculations and the model tests were compared and analyzed. Finally, the effects of the proportionality coefficient of the foundation resistance m, and the foundation embedment depth on the force and deformation of the foundation were explored. [Findings] Comparative analysis of test and theoretical results reveals that with the increase in horizontal load, the foundation rotates step by step from the front side to the back side, and cracks appear at the corners of the rectangular foundation and gradually develop to the back side of the foundation. The top surface of the front side of the foundation is disconnected from the soil body, and the foundation damage mode is rotational damage in the direction of load. The lateral earth pressure on the foundation is directly proportional to the rotation angle of the foundation and shows a distribution pattern of being small in the middle and large at both ends. With the increase in horizontal load, the bottom of the foundation gradually disconnects from the foundation soil body. The earth pressure at the base shows a triangular distribution, and that at the rear side of the base increases significantly. [Conclusions] The change in m value has no obvious effect on the ratio of base disengagement, width of base disengagement, and maximum soil reaction force of the base. The horizontal displacement and rotation angle of the foundation at the ground level decrease with the increase in the m value and the foundation embedment depth. The lateral earth pressure on the foundation and the soil reaction force of the base decrease with the increase in the foundation embedment depth. The stability of the foundation becomes higher as the foundation embedment depth increases.