A method for calculating the evolution of the local damage variable at the adiabatic shear band (ASB) center was proposed. In the present method, the JOHNSON-COOK model and the nonlocal theory were adopted, and the damage variable formula applicable for the bilinear (linearly elastic and strain-softening) constitutive relation was further generalized to consider the plastic deformation occurring in the strain-hardening stage. Aiming at Ti-6Al-4V, the effect of strain rate on the evolution of the local damage variable at the ASB center was investigated. In addition, a parametric study was carried out, including the effects of strain-hardening exponent, strain rate sensitive coefficient, thermal-softening exponent, static shear strength, strain-hardening modulus, shear elastic modulus, work to heat conversion factor, melting temperature and initial temperature. The damage extent at the ASB center in the radial collapse experiment-was assessed. It is found that at higher strain rates the damage in the ASB becomes more serious at the same average plastic shear strain of the ASB.