<p>Rock masses inherently contain discontinuities induced by diagenetic processes, weathering, and anthropogenic disturbances, which are the weakest links in the engineering structure. Consequently, it is essential to analyze the influence of discontinuity types and orientations on the mechanical behavior and failure patterns of rock masses. In this work, the field-enriched finite-element method was modified to reconstruct the cracking evolution behavior of rock masses containing different types of discontinuities. The influence of discontinuity types and orientations on the fracture parameters and fracture modes of rock specimens is analyzed. Moreover, the interaction mechanism between the discontinuity and the propagation path of prefabricated crack is revealed. This study provides novel insights for geomechanical modeling of heterogeneous rock formations and establishes a new approach for simulating the fracture process of rock masses containing discontinuity. </p>