A　2D　lattice　model　was　constructed　to　simulate　crack　process　of　in　shell-interlayer-cement　paste　zone.　The　simulated　tensile　strength　was　validated　by　an　experimental　uniaxial　tensile　test　and　used　as　the　input　for　a　3D　lattice　model,　which　was　constructed　to　perform　mechanical　analysis　based　on　a　series　of　2D　X-ray　microtomography　images.　The　fracture　behaviour　of　the　3D　lattice　model　with　assigned　mechanical　properties　gave　a　similar　crack　pattern　and　tensile　strength　as　the　real　structure.　This　study　is　expected　to　provide　a　feasible　approach　for　investigating　the　fracture　and　trigger　behaviour　miccrocapsules　embedded　in　a　self-healing　cementitious　system.　(C)　2017　Elsevier　Ltd.　All　rights　reserved.