Abstract: Experimental observations on one normal strength concrete column of C40 and four high strength concrete columns of C80 under vertical axial loading and horizontal cyclic loading were presented. The influences of concrete strength, shear span ratio, axial load ratio and transverse reinforcement ratio on hysteretic behavior, displacement ductility and shear strength of reinforced concrete （RC) columns were analyzed. Furthermore, the measured shear strength was compared with the calculated values by GB50010—2010, ACI318—08, CSA—04 and truss-arch model for shear strength.Resultsshow that the calculated strength by the truss-arch model is consistent with the experimental observed strength of shear-critical RC columns.