The lateral cyclic loading procedure was divided into the load-controlled and displacement-controlled stages. The load-controlled stage started from loading in the positive direction until the first cracking was observed. Then similar loading pattern was applied in the negative loading direction until the cracking was found. Subsequently, the loading cycles were displacement controlled by a displacement increment of 1.5 mm. When the specimen started to yield, which was determined according to the strain reading of the outermost longitudinal reinforcing steel at bottom wall section, a displacement increment of 3 mm was used till the test was terminated. Two cycles of loading were repeated corresponding to each displacement level.