Abstract:[Abstract] In order to study the seismic performance of RC frame columns with different steel strengths.Two 1/4 scale plane frame quasi-static tests for 12 columns with the aspect ratio 3 was conducted to study the seismic performance of RC columns. The failure patterns, ductility , strain, shear and bending strength are studied. The test results show that the strength of steel bar has an influence on the failure mode of columns.The columns with high strength steel bars were dominated by shear failure, show bad poor ductility, clearly "pinching effect" in the shape of a spindle, which leads to a non-ductile behavior ; The columns with low strength steel bars were dominated by flexural failure, show good ductility and energy dissipation, obvious deformation before failure,and the strain of the column is 1/2 of another test. In addition, the flexural and shear strength of columns by different yield strength of reinforcing steel and concrete grades are calculated by the tests parameters, and the reinforcing steels and concrete matching coefficient α as the parameter to measure the failure mode of columns: When α< 0.46~0.48, flexural failure; α>0.46~0.48, shear failure occurs. Therefore, the matching degree between the strength of the reinforcing steel and concrete should be paid attention to seismic design of RC frame columns。