In the light of the localized progressive damage model, the evolution law of cohesive and frictional strength with irreversible strains was determined. Then, the location and the extent of the excavation disturbed zone in one deep rock engineering were predicted by using the strength evolution law. The theoretical result is close to the result of in-situ test. The strength evolution law excels the elastic-perfectly plastic model and elasto-brittte plastic model in which the cohesive and frictional strength are mobilized simultaneously. The results obtained indicate that the essential failure mechanism of the cracked rock can be described by the cohesion weakening and friction strengthening evolution law.