<p>This paper investigates the crack initiation and saturation for opening-mode cracking. Using elastic governing equations and a weak form stress boundary condition, we derive an explicit solution of elastic fields in the surface course and obtain the energy release rate, so that opening-mode cracking initiation can be determined by fracture energy criterion. Interestingly, the longitudinal stress between such cracks along the surface undergoes a transition from tensile to compressive with increasing applied tensile loading, which implies crack saturation. Opening-mode cracking in asphalt pavements is studied and a two-dimensional closed-form elastic solution of one section from the periodic crack pattern is derived. Using the fracture energy criterion, the proposed model predicts the OMC initiation and saturation. For an intact asphalt pavement, there exists a threshold of mismatch deformation to induce the first OMC. The stiffer the interface, the higher the threshold mismatch deformation. Once the first crack forms, the crack spacing rapidly decreases to a certain value.</p>