This paper presents the first part of a series of uniaxial cyclic tests on lap-splices. The work is conducted within the framework of a project on the seismic behaviour of existing, poorly detailed bridge piers which are typically constructed with a lap-splice above the footing. The test series presented here was initiated to study the influence of load history, specially with regards to the compression levels, and confinement on the behaviour of lap-splices. The test units represent the boundary elements of previously tested large scale bridge piers. This paper describes three tests on units with varying transverse reinforcement ratios, which were subjected to the same cyclic load history, in more detail. Particular attention is given to their failure modes and selected measurements, such as slip of the bars and concrete strain levels, are presented.