<p>Roadway excavation in a shale rock mass presents significant challenges due to the instability caused by bedding planes, which complicate support measures. Anchor rods positioned at different angles relative to the bedding planes further affect the effectiveness of the support system. Understanding the mechanical behavior of anchored shale with varying bedding angles is critical for improving excavation stability and support design. In this study, uniaxial compression tests and numerical simulations were conducted on anchored shale samples with different bedding angles. The tests examined how bedding planes and anchor rod orientations influence the mechanical properties of shale. Results showed that axial stress decomposes into components parallel and perpendicular to the bedding planes. The former promotes sliding along the bedding planes, while the latter increases friction, hindering sliding. Variations in the bedding angles alter these stress components, affecting the strength and failure characteristics of the shale. Anchor rods restrict displacement between bedding planes, reducing circumferential strain perpendicular to the bedding. When the bedding angle is 90°, cracks evolve into through-going failure zones, and anchor rods significantly increase the strength of the sample by restricting lateral expansion. Numerical simulation of roadway excavation confirmed that larger anchor rod angles lead to a significant reduction in roof settlement, enhancing roadway support which is consistent with the results of uniaxial compression tests. These findings underscore the importance of considering the anisotropy and heterogeneity of shale, particularly circumferential strain components relative to bedding planes, in excavation and support design.</p>