In order to develop an effective seismic shear strengthening method for improving the earthquake behavior of RC short columns,experimental studies are conducted by using four beam-column sub assemblage specimens with a short column. Three short columns of these specimens are strengthened by CFRP in loading,while the other is without any strengthening. All the specimens are tested under a constant gravity load and alternately repeated lateral forces.Test results demonstrate that if the short column is strengthened by CFRP,then brittle shear failure does not occur and the column can develop its ultimate flexural moment capacity. It is also shown by tests that the proposed strengthening method is applicable to repair and rehabilitate the damaged short columns failed in the brittle shear mode.