The seismic performance of steel reinforced ultra high strength concrete columns (SRSHC) with various shear span ratios (λ) were studied through a series of experiments. The concrete compressive cube strength value of experimental specimens ranged from 92.9 MPa to 108.1 MPa. The main experimental variables affecting seismic performance of specimens were axial load ratio and stirrup reinforcement ratio. The columns (λ=2.75) subjected to low cyclic reversed lateral loads failed mainly in the flexural shear mode failure and columns (λ≤2.0) subjected to low cyclic reversed lateral loads failed mainly in the shear mode failure. Shear force displacement hysteretic curves and skeleton curves were drawn. Coefficient of the specimen displacement ductility was calculated. Experimental results indicate that ductility decreases with axial pressure ratio increasing, and increases with stirrup reinforcement ratio increasing. Limit values of axial pressure ratio and minimum stirrup reinforcement ratio of columns are proposed to satisfy definite ductility requirement. The suggested values provide a reference for engineering application and for the amendment of the current Chinese design code of steel reinforced concrete composite structures.
