Abstract: 【Objective】This study is aimed at exploring behavior of the asphalt-paved surface crack propagation under dynamic loads and providing fundamental theory for the crack propagation estimation. The loading response of the asphalt pavement and asphalt pavement structure with surface crack were investigated. The stress intensity factor K₂ along with the change of load and the sensitivity in the course of surface crack propagation was examined.【Method】Using ABAQUS software, the finite element model for the asphalt pavement surface crack was established. Based on the dynamics theory, the structure of vehicle loads acting on the asphalt pavement was analyzed by using the finite element method. 【Result】Under the dynamic loads,the perfect asphalt pavement structure has less deflection than that under static loads and the pavement deflection increases with the propagation of crack depth. The variation curve of the dynamical stress intensity factor K₂ lags behind the variation curve of vehicle loads and the maximum value is greater than K₂ under static loads. During the development of the surface crack, the propagation rate of K₂ increases rapidly initially, and then gradually slows down after the crack is deeper than the half of the thickness. It can inhibit the development of the surface crack by increasing the modulus and thickness of the foundation and decrease the modulus of surface layer. In addition to the effect of the modulus, the other parameters slightly affect the crack propagation. K₂ increases linearly as the increase in dynamic loads, and K₂ increases significantly with the development of cracks.【Conclusion】In order to prolong the life of asphalt pavement with surface cracks, it is suggested to decrease the dynamic modulus of surface layer, and appropriately increase the dynamic modulus and thickness of the foundation.