The study on representative element volume (REV) attracts attentions in geotechnical engineering. The inherent complexity (stochastically distributed fracture network) highly attributes to the existence of REV. A new method

which comprehensively considers the fracture features of the rock masses

is built based on 3D fracture numerical network modeling. Subsequently

volumetric joint count calculation is applied to determine the REV size. 3D fracture numerical network is modeled; and the network is divided by cubes with augmented sizes. The cubes are numbered

and the fracture parameter central point number is confirmed. On the assumption that the parameter is an attribute of the rock masses

the volumetric joint count can be confirmed; and the mean value can be applied to determine the RVE size based on the convergence state. This paper comprehensively considers the fracture features of the rock masses; and the REV model is built based on volumetric joint count determination. A conclusion is drawn that REV size is 4 times larger than the average trace length.