<p>Accurately estimating the evolutions of stress, aperture, and surface morphology of fractures during shear is crucial for analyzing the coupled processes in rock masses. Here, a new predictive model for analyzing the shear behavior of rock fractures that considers the shear energy-damage relation of contacted asperities is proposed. By incorporating the wear theory into the analysis of mesoscopic contact mechanics of asperities, this model enables comprehensive analysis of the deformation and damage at single asperities and their impacts on the overall shear behavior. Direct shear tests were conducted on two distinct types of tensile fractures, and the capability of this model in predicting the shear strength, shear-induced dilation, and surface damage was validated against experimental data. A comparison with the classical JRC-JCS model and previous semi-analytical predictive models was implemented to highlight the advantages and future prospects of this model. Sensitivity analysis of the shear behavior to key parameters involved in this model was put forward to comprehensively elaborate the mechanical interactions at asperity and fracture scales.</p>