Road pavements are associated with economic development, being essential for daily life and social communication. Asphalt pavement is one of the most important types of road pavement. Although the basic theories, construction techniques, and quality control of asphalt pavements are highly developed, the service level of asphalt pavement is still restricted by pavement damage, caused by the failure and degradation of the asphalt pavement, which results in a loss of resources and has a negative economic impact. Understanding the failure mechanisms of asphalt pavements, therefore, is of utmost importance.

In recent years, traffic developments, sustainability requirements, and environmental degradation have brought new challenges to the construction, maintenance, and management of asphalt pavements. Traditional concepts and approaches in failure mechanisms are not always appropriate for modern asphalt pavements, and new research topics have been brought forward by the development and evolution of asphalt pavements. Innovative theories, experimental methods, and simulation techniques are essential in revealing the failure mechanisms of asphalt pavements under current circumstances, which is the basis of developing new technologies and materials for asphalt pavements.

This Special Issue aims to collect both original research and review articles regarding applications of experimental, theoretical, and numerical approaches in revealing the failure mechanisms of asphalt pavements.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Fracture criterion and crack development
• Fatigue life and fatigue prediction
• Creep and permanent deformation
• Strength characteristics and strength criterion
• Water damage
• Ageing damage