## 6 Conclusions  
In this study, uniaxial compression tests were conducted on soft-hard interbedded rock-like specimens with different bedding angles (\(\alpha\)) to investigate the energy evolution characteristics of rocks. Based on energy analysis, the influence of bedding planes on rock fracture processes and macroscopic failure was discussed. The following conclusions were drawn:  
1. The energy evolution process of rocks exhibits distinct stages. It can be divided into four stages: initial energy dissipation stage, stable energy storage stage, accelerating energy dissipation stage, and full energy release stage. The variation of \(\alpha\) primarily affects the latter two stages of energy evolution. The trend of the energy ratio curves of rocks remains unchanged with varying \(\alpha\). Medium angle bedding planes (\(\alpha\) = 45\({}^{\circ}\)-60\({}^{\circ}\)) accelerate the energy dissipation process of rocks.
2. Different types of energy at the characteristic stresses exhibit distinct bedding effects. For specimens where \(\alpha\) = 0\({}^{\circ}\)-30\({}^{\circ}\), the input energy before reaching peak stress mainly converts into dissipation energy. In contrast, for specimens where \(\alpha\) = 45\({}^{\circ}\)-60\({}^{\circ}\), the input energy before reaching peak stress primarily converts into elastic energy. Medium angle bedding planes (\(\alpha\) = 45\({}^{\circ}\)-60\({}^{\circ}\)) severely weaken the absorption capacity and energy storage limitation of rocks. The resistance of rocks to energy-driven deformation and damage shows an evolutionary pattern of \"high-low-high\".
3. During the loading process, rock failure can be effectively predicted by the abrupt changes of energy ratio curves. Regardless of the \(\alpha\), initial failure of the rocks occurs near the bedding planes. For low angle specimens (\(\alpha\) = 0\({}^{\circ}\)-30\({}^{\circ}\)), surface spalling cracks first appear, while for medium angle specimens (\(\alpha\) = 45\({}^{\circ}\)-60\({}^{\circ}\)), shear slipping cracks are the initial mode of failure. High angle specimens (\(\alpha\) = 90\({}^{\circ}\)) experience tensile splitting cracks first. As the \(\alpha\) increases, it promotes the initiation and development of cracks within the rock, causing the main stages of rock failure to occur progressively earlier.
4. The macroscopic failure of rocks is controlled by the bedding planes and shows a good correlation with energy storage and release, categorized into rock matrix tensile failure, shear slipping failure along bedding planes, and tensile splitting failure along bedding planes. With the increase of \(\alpha\), the energy storage limitation first decreases and then increases, while the release rate of elastic energy gradually increases. A higher energy storage limitation in rocks corresponds to more pronounced surface spalling upon final instability and failure. With an increasing \(\alpha\), surface spalling initially decreases and then increases in rocks.  
Conceptualization, [PERSON] and [PERSON]; methodology, [PERSON]; validation, [PERSON]; formal analysis, [PERSON]; resources, F.C.; writing--original draft preparation, [PERSON]; writing--review and editing, [PERSON]; project administration, F.C.; funding acquisition, [PERSON] All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.  
This research was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 42302327) and The Opening Project of Key Laboratory of Highway Bridge and Tunnel of Shaanxi Province (Chang' an University) (Grant No. 300102211517).  
Not applicable.  
Data Availability Statement: Data are contained within the article.  
**Acknowledgments:** The authors are deeply grateful to the funding agency for their financial support. The authors also appreciate the valuable comments and suggestions from the reviewers that greatly improved the quality of this paper.  
**Conflicts of Interest:** The authors declare no conflicts of interest.