International audienceIn order to build sustainable structures, the study of mechanical behavior must integrate with local phenomena, e.g. fracture and strain localization. The fracture usually develops in the form of main crack, with branches, secondary cracks and the microcracking zone ahead. Various experimental methods are already employed to detect the fracture process. In this study, digital image correlation is used to measure displacement field in the cracking area. Using displacement field data, crack opening at various locations of crack is measured. The location of crack tip is estimated using crack opening data. Acoustic Emission technique is applied simultaneously with digital image correlation to identify the size of microcracking zone ahead of the propagating crack. It is observed that the two techniques in coupled position proved effective in identifying the fracture process zone and cracking mechanisms of concrete
