Eight small scale circular reinforced concrete columns (4.5 aspect ratio) were tested under cyclic lateral load with constant axial load. The selected test variables are longitudinal steel ratio (2.017%, 3.161%), transverse steel ratio, and axial load ratio (0, 0.07, 0.15). Volumetric ratio of spirals of all the columns is 0.335~0.894% in the plastic hinge region. It corresponds to 39.7~122.3% of the minimum requirement of confining steel by Korean Bridge Design Specifications, which represent existing columns not designed by the current seismic design specifications or designed by seismic concept. The final objectives of this study are to provide quantitative reference data and tendency for performance or damage assessment based on the performance levels such as cracking, yielding, steel fracture, etc. In this paper, describes mainly failure behavior, strength degradation behaviour, displacement ductility of circular reinforced concrete bridge columns with respect to test variables.