A new numerical model estimating the effect of randomly located micro-cracks on the structural response
of a material is presented. Both heterogeneities of the structure and stress concentrations are taken into
account by the model, that makes use of an homogeneous matrix in which randomly distributed cracks are
present. The Cell Method is a recently developed numerical method that can be used to solve such a model.
Both elastic and elastic-plastic behaviours can be included in the model. The Cell Method is presented and
results of simulations from tests in both the elastic and plastic fields are discussed.
