The　fracture　behavior　of　pre-cracked　three-point　bending　specimens　with　different　recycled　coarse　aggregate　(RCA)　replacement　ratios　was　studied.　The　deformation　characteristics　of　specimens　during　the　fracture　process　were　analyzed　by　the　digital　image　correlation　(DIC)　technique,　and　then　the　cracking　morphology　was　observed　and　discussed.　In　case　of　similar　strength,　the　fracture　toughness　of　recycled　aggregate　concrete　(RAC)　is　similar　to　conventional　concrete,　but　the　fracture　energy　is　lower.　With　the　increase　of　RCA　replacement　ratios,　the　fracture　energy　decreases.　The　replacement　ratio　of　RCA　results　in　more　discrete　in　the　shape　of　the　softening　curve,　and　the　concave　features　are　more　pronounced.　By　DIC　analysis,　deformation　characteristics　of　the　specimen　are　bifurcated　into　three　stages　during　the　fracture　process.　With　the　reduction　of　load　to　80%,　the　specimen　showed　a　rotation　around　a　center　point.　At　a　low　RCA　replacement　ratio,　there　is　spalling　at　the　pre-crack　tip,　and　the　crack　is　less　smooth　relative　to　the　higher　RCA　replacement　ratio.　©　2019　Elsevier　Ltd