The presence of structural planes in rock masses weakens their mechanical properties, making them more prone to instability and failure under disturbances. In the study of the stability of engineering rock masses, it is crucial to restore the natural structure of rock masses and reflect the essential characteristics of in- situ rock masses. Physical simulation experiments, with advantages such as strong controllability, low cost, good continuity of results, and the ability to simulate complex working conditions, are widely used in the study of engineering rock masses containing structural planes. Therefore, this paper primarily summarizes the current methods for prefabricating structural planes in physical simulation experiments of engineering rock masses, analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of each method and their applicable engineering contexts, and provides insights for conducting physical simulation experiments on engineering rock masses with structural planes.This paper focuses on three common types of structural planes in engineering rock masses: planar, unfilled structural planes; rough, undulating, unfilled structural planes; and filled weak structural planes. Based on the types of rock masses with prefabricated structural planes, the methods are classified into traditional methods suitable for natural rocks and innovative methods suitable for rock- like materials. Traditional methods, being mature in process, remain favored by many researchers. Innovative methods, on the other hand, can be flexibly adjusted according to experimental conditions to meet various research needs, thereby leading to more technical pathways and holding potential for continuous evolution.When selecting a method, it is essential to consider the relevant engineering context and site characteristics to ensure the reliability of the experimental results. Among innovative methods, 3D printing technology demonstrates significant advantages in simulating complex structural planes in rock masses. However, the mechanical properties of specimens produced by 3D printing are still limited by the printing materials, resulting in certain discrepancies compared to real rocks. This limitation represents a technical challenge that needs to be addressed in the future.