low-temperature fracture is the normal distress of the thin-layer overlay asphalt mixture. To reveal the low-temperature cracking behavior, semicircular bending tests combined with crack observation, digital image correlation and a finite element numerical simulation based on the meso-structure cohesive zone model were carried out. The applicability of the model was verified by the load-displacement curve and crack paths. The results show that the low-temperature cracking behavior of asphalt mixture can be well demonstrated by digital image processing. The simulation of asphalt mixture meso-structure is suitable for analyzing the cracking behavior. Furthermore, the maximum tensile stress and neutral axis positions on the mid-span section are correlated with the properties of the materials.