Abstract: Axial and eccentric compression experiments are carried out on 8 circular reinforced concrete specimens covered with steel tube， and the finite element method and the fiber model method are used to calculate the load-carrying capacity of the specimens. Based on the experimental and theoretical analysis，a simplified calculation method of the load-carrying capacity for this kind of member is proposed in the study. The analysis indicate that the finite element method result is relatively small， and that the results of the load-carrying capacity of the specimens calculated by the fiber model method agree well with the experimental results. The circular reinforced concrete members covered with steel tube present the characteristics of both the reinforced concrete and concrete filled steel tube members，showing higher load-carrying capacity and greater deformability. The load-carrying capacity of circular reinforced concrete members covered with steel tube can be calculated by the method of the reinforced concrete member with the confined concrete. The load-carrying capacity of the circular reinforced concrete members covered with steel tube calculated by the simplified method is in good agreement with the experimental results.