<p>The network cracking phenomenon in clay soils due to desiccation is considered one of the important challenges of geotechnical and geological engineering. This study aimed to simulate and investigate the causes of network cracking in the southern regions of Damghan, northern Iran. For this purpose, after field investigations, suitable soil samples were collected from five areas (SHA, JNA, KBT, KRZ, AAM). Laboratory analyzes including mineralogical studies, physical properties, grain size distribution, Atterberg limits, and unified soil classification systems shown that the SHA sample is a coarse-grained sandy soil (SP-SM) with minimal cracking potential, while the other samples are mainly fine-grained (CL and CL-ML) and sensitive to moisture changes. Laboratory simulation of the cracking process indicated that no cracks were formed in the SHA sample, while network cracks with various geometric patterns were formed in the other samples. The KBT sample, with its more active clay minerals and gypsum, shown the highest sensitivity to cracking and the longest desiccation time. Digital image correlation (DIC) analysis revealed the distribution of tensile, compressive and shear strains, and the crack initiation mechanism on the specimen surfaces. There are direct relationships between the mineralogical composition and physical properties with the cracking potential of the soils. Also, significant correlations were observed between the geometric parameters of the cracks in both laboratory and field states, indicating that the network cracks in these areas are just caused by desiccation and no other factor.</p>