Abstract: The novel meshless numerical method, which is known as general particle dynamics (GPD) method, is proposed. The non-associated flow law and the associated flow law can be employed to analyze the plastic deformation of the surrounding rock masses around tunnels using the GPD method. The stability of the surrounding rock masses around tunnels are also determined using the GPD method as well as the stress fields, displacement fields and plastic zone. The numerical results by the proposed method are in good agreement with the FEM results. It is proved that the GPD method is efficient to predict the elastic-plastic properties of the surrounding rock masses around tunnels.