Abstract: In order to conduct research on the residential structures of multi-story RC shear wall with single row of steel bars and make comparative study on the seismic performance of RC shear walls with single row of steel bars and that with double rows of steel bars,an experiment has been introduced in the paper,in which an earthquake simulation shaking table test has been applied to a 4-story model of 1/4 scale.In the model,bi-directional steel bars of double rows have been designed to one side while those of single row to another.The model's dynamic characteristics and responses of acceleration,deformation,and damage features under different level earthquake have been investigated.From the experiment,we have known that the in-plane seismic performance of RC shear wall with single row of steel bars is better than that of double rows,while out-plane performance of them are similar to the collaboration of the flange and the web.Therefore,RC shear walls with single row of steel bars can meet the seismic demands for residential structure with multi-story RC shear walls in areas of seismic intensity 7 or 8 degrees.