The aim of this research is to analyze, by experimental approach, the impact of suction in the tensile strength and cracking phenomenon of unsaturated clayey soils samples. Through a bending tests, and a clay submitted to different level of suction (361 MPa, 110 MPa and 38 MPa), the approach consisted first in estimating the tensile strength which controls the initiation of tensile cracks. Then, using digital image correlation method, the propagation of cracks was precisely followed through the local strains development around the crack and close the crack tip.