Crack-induced electrical resistivity changes in cracked CNT-reinforced composites

•Formulation to quantify electrical resistivity changes in CNT-RC sensors due to cracks.•The efficiency of the strip-like sensors is affected by three parameters.•The strain gradients caused by the crack affect the resistivity of the plate.•The electric permeability of the crack has revealed as the key parameter.•Moreover, the severity of the damage also affect to the efficiency of the sensor.•This numerical framework could be extended for self-sensing structures developments.