Abstract: There is a complex and dense karst network in the limestone area and the shape of these fractures can be summarized into "crack", "elliptical hole", "mushroom-like hole" and "mushroom-like hole", "dumbbell-like hole".Compared with intact limestone, the existence of fissures will seriously affect the mechanical properties, energy characteristics and macro and microcracks evolution mechanism of limestone. Moreover, the energy release rate, which is the core of Griffith fracture criterion, can effectively characterize the crack propagation process of rock mass. In order to study the energy characteristics and the mechanism of micro-crack initiation and propagation evolution during the process of deformation and failure of fractured limestone,, based on nonlinear dynamic theory, Lemaintre strain equivalent hypothesis theory and energy theory, the formula of coupled micro-macro damage energy release rate was derived, and then the micro-crack propagation law was obtained under UCS test. The results show that according to the energy dissipation theory, the effect of energy accumulation is weaken as follows: mushroom-like hole, fissure, elliptic hole, intact limestone, dumbbell-like hole; According to the energy dissipation characteristics, coupled macro-micro damage energy release rate and stress-strain curve, the deformation and failure stages of fractured limestone and intact limestone are divided into five stages: stress adjustment stage (Ⅰ), stable closing stage of micro crack or micro pore (Ⅱ), low speed crack propagation stage of micro crack (Ⅲ), rapid crack propagation stage of micro crack (Ⅳ) and main macroscopic fracture formation stage (Ⅴ). The mutation point of energy release rate in stage IV before the peak can be used as the identification point of failure precursor of rock samples. The research results can provide theoretical guidance for analyzing the geological hazards in karst areas.