A comparative study was undertaken of selected computational methods for predicting the strength determined from more than 500 physical tests of rectangular, tied structural concrete columns available in the literature. The study included 354 reinforced concrete and 150 composite steel–concrete columns. The computational methods compared were those of CSA A23.3-94 and Eurocode 2 for reinforced concrete and those of CSA A23.3-94 and Eurocode 4 for composite columns. The physical tests used for comparison were conducted on columns that were braced, pinned at both ends, subjected to short-term loads, and constructed using normal-density concrete with a compressive strength between approximately 17 and 57 MPa. Major variables included the concrete strength, the end eccentricity ratio, the slenderness ratio, the longitudinal reinforcing steel index for reinforced concrete or the structural steel index for composite columns, and the transverse reinforcement (tie/hoop) volumetric ratio. The study provided insights into the reliability of the computational methods examined. Recommendations for improving the CSA A23.3-94 procedure for the design of reinforced concrete and composite steel–concrete columns are also presented.Key words: columns, composite construction, computations, physical tests, reinforced concrete, reliability, strength.