The　performance　of　the　newly　developed　soft-hard-soft　(SHS)　cement　based　composite　system　under　multiple　impact　loading　was　investigated　using　a　combined　numerical　and　experimental　study.　Such　a　composite　consists　of　three　layers　including　Geogrid　(GST)　reinforced　asphalt　concrete　(AC)　on　the　top,　high　strength　concrete　(HSC)　layer　in　the　middle,　and　fiber　reinforced　cementitious　composites　(FRCC)　at　the　bottom.　A　Hard-Soft-Hard　(HSH)　composite　pavement　was　also　proposed　and　tested　for　comparison　purpose.　In　addition,　the　experimental　results　were　compared　with　standard　rigid　and　flexible　pavements.　The　SHS　composite　system　exhibits　minimum　damage,　higher　energy　absorption　and　significant　improved　impact　resistance　against　multiple　impact　loading　compared　with　the　other　three　types　of　pavements.　A　3D　finite　element　(FE)　model　was　also　established　and　confirmed　the　experimental　results　for　the　SHS　composite　pavement.　Following　the　FE　model,　intensive　parametric　study　was　conducted　to　investigate　the　factors　to　enhance　the　impact　resistance　of　the　SHS　composite　system.　The　results　can　guide　the　upgrade　options　for　runway　pavement　and　be　used　for　further　development　of　the　protective　composite.　(C)　2017　Elsevier　Ltd.　All　rights　reserved.