The study presents the results of an experimental program concerning the shear force transfer between reinforced concrete (RC) jackets and existing columns with damages. In order to investigate the effectiveness of the repair method applied and the contribution of each shear transfer mechanism of the interface. It includes 22 concrete columns (core) (of 24,37MPa concrete strength) with square section (150mm side, 500 mm height and scale 1:2). Ten columns had initial construction damages and twelve were subjected to initial axial load. Sixteen columns have full jacketing at all four faces with 80mm thickness (of 31,7MPa concrete strength) and contain longitudinal bars (of 500MPa nominal strength) and closed stirrups spaced at 25mm, 50mm or 100mm (of 220MPa nominal strength). Fourteen of them contain dowels at the interface between old and new concrete. All columns were subjected to repeated (pseudo-seismic) axial compression with increasing deformation cycles up to failure with or without jacketing. Two load patterns were selected to examine the difference of the behavior of columns. The effects of the initial damages, of the reinforcement of the interface (dowels) and of the confinement generated by the stirrups are investigated through axial- deformation (slip) diagrams and the energy absorbed diagrams. The results indicate that the initial damages affect the total behavior of the column and the capacity of the interface to shear mechanisms and to slip: a) the maximum bearing load of old column is decreased affecting at the same time the loading capacity of the jacketed element, b) suitable repair of initially damaged specimens increases the capacity of the jacketed column to transfer load through the interface.