<p>To investigate the failure evolution behavior of sandstone specimens with internal defect holes under various support conditions, uniaxial compression tests were conducted in the laboratory using a TAW-2000 electro-hydraulic servo testing machine. Acoustic emission (AE) technology was utilized to monitor the failure process in real time. Additionally, a numerical model of the specimen was developed using the FLAC^3D numerical simulation program to analyze the internal stress distribution, failure modes, and spatial characteristics of the damaged zones. The results indicate that the support structure significantly influences the primary failure mode of the specimens. Specifically, specimens without internal support primarily exhibited tensile failure, while those with cement-based support demonstrated a combined tensile-shear failure. In contrast, specimens reinforced with both cement-based support and steel wire exhibited a predominant shear failure. A positive correlation was observed between the number of macroscopic cracks and the number of microstructural failure zones. Furthermore, the peak uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of the specimens was negatively correlated with both the acoustic emission (AE) ring count at peak stress and the total cumulative ring count. Distinct frequency bands were identified in the AE peak frequency distribution, with varying types of internal support leading to noticeable differences in these frequency zones. The internal stress distribution of the specimens exhibited a generally symmetric pattern. The spatial distribution of shear failure zones was similar across various support materials, consistently displaying a typical double-wing pattern, while tensile failure zones were more uniformly distributed. These findings offer valuable insights for the design and optimization of internal support systems in fractured rock masses.</p>