The deterioration of airfield pavement systems is a complex process which involves the effects of dynamic loading from aircraft ground operations as well as the effects of seasonal weather changes and other environmental factors. A numerical model of an airfield pavement is presented which uses a finite element approach to predict the buildup of excess pore pressures in the saturated subgrade under repeated surface loading. Factors such as slab thickness, subsoil permeability, and load interval are considered in a pseudo-static analysis. A fully dynamic version of this model is also proposed which directly relates the aircraft loading fuction to pore pressure changes and to variations in material properties within the pavement subgrade.