Describes the development of a combined acoustic emission-poker chip test to measure the mechanical behavior of, and cavitation in, asphalt thin films. Combining results of the test with the appropriate stress analysis and fractography allows us to understand the controlling fracture mechanism of geometrically confined asphalt thin films. The test successfully differentiates different SHRP asphalts. The test provides a logical link among asphalt bulk rheological properties, microstructure in asphalt thin films, and performance properties of asphalt-aggregate mixtures. A laser contact angle goniometry technique and a modified blister test were developed to characterize, respectively, the asphalt surfaces and the adhesive strength between asphalt and aggregate surfaces.