AbstractMultilevel extended digital image correlation (X-DIC) technique based on finite element method (FEM) is applied for measuring deformation of geomaterials under uni-axial loading condition. The concept of Smooth Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) is introduced for smoothing computed displacements as well as for calculating strain tensors at every nodal point of FEM mesh. Cumulative effective strain estimated from strain tensors is found to be a well suited parameter to identify the change in stress-strain behaviour in experimented samples. Further analysis suggests that onset of microcrack development and yielding in samples can also be identified using this parameter. Based on these findings, an indicator is developed for determining onset of both microcrack development and yielding in geomaterials. This indicator is found to be related to volumetric strains and may also signify dilation of the sample. The potential of the developed indicator is tested by conducting four experimental works with concrete and rock samples.