Abstract: Ten specimens of reinforced concrete interior joints with different depth beams were tested under reversed cyclic loading. The experimental study was conducted that focused on the failure characteristics and layer deformation capacity of beam column subassemblage. Results indicated that the critical crack load was quite nearly with the ultimate load of interior joints and the seismic behavior was poorer than that of ordinary joints,and the shear failures of all the specimens appeared in the large core under external loads,which can not meet the design requirement of a rigid joint. Furthermore,the layer deformation capacity analysis indicated that the deformation capacity of interior joint can satisfy the deformation demand in the elastic stage. However,the deformation capacity can not satisfy the deformation demand in the elastic-plastic stage based on the critical crack stage design. Thus,a security reserve coefficient was suggested in the seismic design of joints for RC structures to preserve the structural integrity.