Abstract：The paper concisely describes fundamental aspects of the particle flow code(PFC)，its features to perform scientific study and engineering application in geotechnical engineering. The descriptions include the advantages of PFC to depict the essential behaviors of rock and soil materials，the current status of PFC application worldwide，and its capability and applicability in geotechnical engineering practice. The procedures of using PFC to solve engineering problem has been introduced including model construction approach，numerical tests for determining micromechanical properties that governs rock mass behaviors，recording of cracking and facture propagating，by taking a cave study case as an example. The paper also presents the process of orebody caving and associated rock mass fracturing，stress altering，and response of surrounding rocks.
