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-streng th reinforced concrete (R/C) columns subjected to a reversed cyclic load an d axial compression, and to find the relationship between the amount of lat eral reinforcement and the axial load ratio. Twenty column specimens were t ested. The test parameters of the column specimens were the compressive str ength of concrete (f(c)' = 25, 52 and 70 MPa), the axial load ratio (0.3 an d 0.5 f(c)'Ag) and the volumetric ratio of lateral reinforcement (rho(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 a lter the behaviour of high-strength R/C columns under inelastic cyclic load ing.