The extended finite element method(XFEM) is applied to analyze the cracking failure mechanism of the whole process from local crack initiation to crack growth, in the PBX-9502 platelike specimen with cavity subjected to overall compression. The nonlinear constitutive behaviors and failure of PBX under complex stress states were described by means of stress state dependent strength surface, non-associated flow rule and cohesive model. Comparison between the numerical simulation results and Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) test ones was carried out. Results show that the plate with cavity produce local tensile stress around cavity in the overall compression environment and this tension condition leads to local cracking initiation. The overall development trend of numerical simulation for cracking is in agreement with experimental results, including overall trend of crack history, feature of crack-time curve, crack initiation moment, crack initial speed, etc. Based on the XFEM and cohesive model method, the crack initiation and growth of PBX energetic materials can be simulated.