Experimental study on seismic performance of square RC columns subjected to combined loadings

Abstract This study presents an experimental investigation on the behavior of square reinforced concrete (RC) columns subjected to combined cyclic bending–shear–torsion loadings. Four full–scale square RC columns with exactly similar structural properties were tested under four types of loading conditions. The effects of combined loadings on the failure mode, hysteretic load–displacement response, bearing capacity, energy consumption, ductility and plastic hinge characteristics are discussed. Based on the results, it is concluded that combined loadings reduced the bearing capacity and changed the failure modes and deformation characteristics.