An　explicit　three-dimensional　discontinuous　deformation　analysis(3D　DDA)　method　based　on　the　central　difference　scheme　is　proposed　to　improve　the　computational　efficiency　of　the　traditional　3D　DDA　method　in　solving　large-scale　discontinuous　problems.　With　the　explicit　3D　DDA　method,it　is　not　only　easier　and　faster　to　obtain　the　solutions,but　also　more　convenient　to　achieve　the　efficient　parallel　computing.　Based　on　the　first　entrance　and　shortest　exit　principle,formulae　are　derived　to　estimate　the　positions　of　entrance　points　during　the　entrance　process　regarding　two　basic　entrance　mode　and　the　entrance　information　is　determined.　These　contact　treatment　measures　ensure　the　computational　accuracy　and　the　tempo-spatial　coherence　of　the　contact　constraints.　Numerical　examples　demonstrate　that　the　explicit　3D　DDA　has　sufficient　computational　accuracy　and　higher　computational　efficiency.　The　explicit　3D　DDA　is　promising　for　the　discontinuous　numerical　analysis　in　large　scale　rock　engineering　after　achieving　parallel　computing.　©　2018,　Science　Press.　All　right　reserved.