A simplified numerical testing method is developed to estimate the three-dimensional (3D) elastic compliance tensor and study the mechanical representative element volume (REV) of fractured rock mass

on the basis of the numerical test for two-dimensional (2D) elastic compliance tensor. Firstly

3D stochastic discrete fracture networks are randomly generated using the Monte Carlo method

according to the statistical parameters and the probability distribution functions. Then rock samples are collected in varied directions and the 2D elastic compliance tensors of the examples are further calculated using the 2D numerical test. Thus the 3D elastic compliance tensors are obtained

regarding to the topological relationship between the 2D and 3D elastic compliance tensors. For rock samples with three sets of orthogonal and continuous fractures

it is found that the maximum relative error of the main diagonal components of the elastic compliance tensor is less than 5%

comparing the results of the numerical test with analytical solutions. Therefore

the reliability and effectiveness of the numerical tests are verified. Finally

this method is applied to determine mechanical properties of Xiaowan Hydropower Station and the REV is approximately estimated as REV≈11×11×11m3.