To use the distinct element method, it is necessary to discretize the problem domain into polygons in two dimensions (2 D) or into polyhedra in three dimensions (3 D). To perform distinct element stress analysis in a rock mass which contains non-persistent finite size joints, it is necessary to generate some type of fictitious joints so that when they are combined with the non-persistent joints, they discretize the problem domain into polygons in 2 D or into polyhedra in 3 D. The question arises as to which deformation and strength parameter values should be assigned to these fictitious joints so that they behave as intact rock. In this paper, linear elastic, perfectly-plastic constitutive models with the Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion, including a tension cut-off, were used to represent the mechanical behaviour of both intact rock and fictitious joints. It was found that, by choosing the parameter values for the constitutive models as given below, it is possible to make the fictitious joints behave as intact rock, in a global sense