The main aim of this study is to investigate the factors governing the post-peak cyclic response of laterally loaded reinforced concrete cantilever columns. A series of experiments are conducted, in which five reinforced concrete columns are subjected to cyclic lateral displacement. Much attention is paid to cover concrete spalling and the large lateral displacement of reinforcement. Specimens are designed so that the buckling of reinforcement and cover concrete spalling can be clearly observed. Finite element analyses are also performed using enhanced nonlinear fiber models, which are verified in member level by comparing with experimental results.