An experimental study of the behaviour of high-strength reinforced concrete columns subjected to reversed cyclic shear under constant axial compression

An experimental study was conducted to examine the behaviour of high-strength reinforced concrete (R/C) columns subjected to a reversed cyclic load and axial compression, and to find the relationship between the amount of lateral reinforcement and the axial load ratio. Twenty column specimens were tested. The test parameters of the column specimens were the compressive strength of concrete (f′ c = 25, 52 and 70 MPa), the axial load ratio (0·3 and 0·5 f′ c A g ) and the volumetric ratio of lateral reinforcement (ρ s = 1·05, 2·1 and 3·15%). The test results indicated that the axial load ratio and the shape of the lateral reinforcement could significantly affect and alter the behaviour of high-strength R/C columns under inelastic cyclic loading.