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The failure mode of concrete columns in subway stations during seismic events can be affected by the dynamic fluctuation of the axial forces. This study conducted quasi-static tests with bidirectional loading on three scaled rectangular columns to investigate the influence of highly variable axial compression ratio (ACR). A detailed analysis was conducted of the impact of the highly variable ACR on the column failure mode, reinforcement strains, and hysteretic behavior, and the repairability assessment was discussed. Numerical analysis of the effect of ACR variations was carried out based on the experimental results. In these experiments, the failure modes of central columns in Dakai Station, Japan, during the Kobe earthquake were reproduced, and three columns exhibited compressive-bending-shear damage and compressive-bending damage. As the ACR varied up to three cycles during one horizontal loading cycle, the hysteresis curve of the columns exhibited notable asymmetry. Furthermore, with a large variation of ACR amplitude, the stirrups of the column were fractured due to excessive shear effects. The bearing capacity, energy dissipation, and stiffness degradation of the columns were significantly adversely affected. A reparability assessment of the columns, based on the distribution of reinforcement strains, residual displacements, and concrete damage, is proposed. The effects of varying frequency and amplitude of different vertical ACRs on the hysteretic behavior of columns were analyzed numerically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]