The capabilities of a high-resolution Digital Image Correlation (DIC) system are presented within the context of deformation measurements of full-scale concrete columns tested under reversed cyclic loading. The system was developed to have very high-resolution such that material strains on the order of the cracking stain of concrete could be measured on the surface of full-scale structural members. The high-resolution DIC system allows the measurement of a wide range of deformations and strains that could only be inferred or assumed previously. The DIC system is able to resolve the full profiles of member curvatures, rotations, plasticity spread, shear deformations, and bar-slip induced rotations. The system allows for automatic and objective measurement of crack widths and other damage indices that are indicative of cumulated damage and required repair time and cost. DIC damage measures contrast prevailing proxy damage indices based on member force-deformation data and subjective damage measures obtained using visual inspection. Data derived from high-resolution DIC systems is shown to be of great use in advancing the state of behavioral knowledge, calibrating behavioral and analytical models, and improving simulation accuracy.