The theory of perfectly matched layer (PML) artificial boundary condition (ABC), which is characterized by absorption any wave motions with arbitrary frequency and arbitrarily incident angle, is introduced. The construc- tion process of PML boundary based on elastodynamic partial differential equation (PDE) system is developed. Combining with velocity-stress hybrid finite element formulation, the applicability of PML boundary is investi- gated and the numerical reflection of PML boundary is estimated. The reflectivity of PML and multi-transmitting formula (MTF) boundary is then compared based on body wave and surface wave simulations. The results show that although PML boundary yields some reflection, its absorption performance is superior to MTF boundary in the numerical simulations of near-fault wave propagation, especially in corner and large angle grazing incidence situations. The PML boundary does not arise any unstable phenomenon and the stability of PML boundary is better than MTF boundary in hybrid finite element method. For a specified problem and analysis tolerance, the computa- tional efficiency of PML boundary is only a little lower than MTF boundary. The theory of perfectly matched layer (PML) artificial boundary condition (ABC), which is characterized by absorption any wave motions with arbitrary frequency and arbitrarily incident angle angle, is introduced. The construc tion process of PML boundary based on elastodynamic partial differential equation PDE) system is developed. Combining with velocity-stress hybrid finite element formulation, the applicability of PML boundary is investi- gated and the numerical reflection of PML boundary is estimated. The reflectivity of PML and multi-transmitting formula (MTF) boundary is then compared based on body wave and surface wave simulations. The results show that although PML boundary yields some reflection, its absorption performance is superior to MTF boundary in the numerical simulations of near-fault wave propagation, especially in corner and large angle grazing incidence situations. The PML boundary does not arise any unstable phenomenon and the stability of PML boundary is better than M TF boundary in hybrid finite element method. For a specified problem and analysis tolerance, the computa- tional efficiency of PML boundary is only a little lower than MTF boundary.