## 1 Introduction
[15] investigated the differences in the fracture process of artificial composite rock containing interface flaws with varying interface angles based on energy dissipation theory and damage evolution models. [PERSON] et al. [16] analyzed the coal-rock composite structures and found that during failure process of the specimen, the failure of coal and its energy release occur earlier than that of rock, with the energy release from rock exacerbating the failure of coal. For layered rock masses, scholars have also conducted extensive research in the field of energy studies. For example, [PERSON] et al. [17] quantitatively characterized the energy evolution of Longmaxi shale during uniaxial loading and found that microcrack generation and propagation are quite limited before rock failure, with the rock being primarily destroyed by rapidly released energy. [PERSON] et al. [18] applied incremental cyclic tensile loads at different frequencies to sandstone and found that peak tensile strain, residual strain, and energy dissipation increased with the number of cycles. [PERSON] et al. [19] studied the energy evolution process and distribution characteristics of diabase under different confining pressures and proposed a method for evaluating the brittle-ductile transition of transversely isotropic rocks based on energy evolution characteristics. [PERSON] et al. [20] proposed a strength failure criterion based on energy mutation through uniaxial compression experiments on shale, which does not require consideration of the failure mode. Additionally, many scholars have made significant achievements in predicting rock failure based on energy theory. For example, [PERSON] et al. [21] conducted tests on rock energy storage performance and attempted rockburst prediction based on strain energy. [PERSON] et al. [22] proposed a new indicator for evaluating rock failure precursors in coal-rock under different confining pressures based on energy dissipation rate. [PERSON] et al. [23] used the mutation point of the elastic loss ratio as a precursor for predicting rock failure. [PERSON] et al. [24] employed acoustic emission signals and energy evolution to predict the failure of various types of rock under freeze-thaw weathering and estimated the evolution of microcracks. The aforementioned work fully demonstrates the positive significance of studying the energy characteristics of loaded rocks for guiding engineering practices. However, current research on the energy evolution of layered rock masses primarily focuses on naturally layered rocks composed of a single type of bedrock, with relatively few studies on soft-hard interbedded rocks. Moreover, most research separates the energy characteristics during rock loading from the rock fracture process and macroscopic failure modes, often only addressing one specific aspect. This study focuses on laboratory-prepared soft-hard interbedded rock-like (SHIR) specimens with different bedding angles. Using an RMT-150B rock mechanics system, uniaxial compression tests were conducted to explore the influence of these bedding angles on the energy characteristics of specimens. Specifically, the research examines the accumulation, dissipation, and release patterns of energy during the deformation and failure processes of SHIR specimens under uniaxial compression. It aims to uncover the inherent connections between energy evolution and rock fracture damage as well as macroscopic failure. The findings of this study can provide valuable insights for the design, construction, disaster mitigation, and stability analysis of underground engineering projects such as tunnels under complex geological conditions.