The vortex-filament method was applied to the simulation of vortex breakdown. The principal vortex region was represented by multiple filaments, and an axial velocity component was induced by a spiral winding of the filaments. First, an accuracy check was performed for a cylindrical swirling flow field that can be simulated to any accuracy by increasing the number of filaments. Second, an axisymmetric-type vortex breakdown was simulated, with experimental data serving asupstream conditions. The calculated axial- and theta-velocity contours show the breakdown of the vortex, including a rapid change in the vortex core, followed axially by a recovery zone and then a second breakdown. When three-dimensional initial data are used the second breakdown appears to be out of the spiral type in correspondence with experimental observations. The present method can easily be used to simulate other types of vortex breakdown or other vortex flows with axial velocity.