Experiments were carried out to investigate the seismic behaviors, such as lateral strength, ductility and energy-dissipation capacity. of high-strength concrete (HSC) square short column confined in thin steel shell. The primary objective of the study was to investigate the suitability of using HSC square columns confined in thin steel shell in region of moderate-to-high seismic risk. A total of six columns, consisting of two ordinarily reinforced concrete square short columns and four reinforced concrete square short columns confined in thin steel shell was tested. Column specimens, short columns in a moment resisting frame with girder. were tested under a constant axial and reversed cyclic lateral loads. To design the specimens. transverse reinforcing methods, level of axial load applied, and the steel tube width-thickness ratio (D/t) were chosen as main parameters. Test results were also discussed and compared in the light of improvements in general behaviors, ductility, and energy-absorption capacities. Compared to conventionally reinforced concrete columns, the HSC columns confined in thin steel shell had similar load-displacement hysteretic behavior but exhibited greater energy-dissipation characteristics . It is concluded that, in strong earthquake areas, the transverse reinforcing method by using a thin steel shell (D/t=125) is quite effective to make HSC short columns with very strong and ductile.