This dataset provides more than 100 backbone curves of reinforced concrete columns that are collected from Chinese literature. The data could be used in structural engineering or earthquake engineering. The details of the specimens can be found in the spreadsheet and the backbone curves are available in the csv files. The first three rows of each csv file contain the author, the publishing year, the name and the number of force-displacement pairs of the specimen. From the fourth row onwards, the force-displacement pairs are provided in adjacent columns. The first column contains the top-displacement values (in mm), and the second column contains the lateral-load values (in kN). Regardless of the actual test configuration, all force-displacement data are reported in terms of an equivalent cantilever column.