This paper presents a tri-linear restoring force model based on the test results of 12 circular RC columns strengthened by CFRP strips under low cyclic loading. The pre-stress of CFRP strips and axial load ratio of specimens are considered as the affect parameters of the proposed model. All essential characteristics of the hysteretic behavior of the proposed model, including the hysteretic rules, main performance points, strength degradation, stiffness degradation and confinement effects are explicitly analyzed. The calculated results from the proposed model are in good agreement with the experimental results, which shows that the recommended model can be reliably used for seismic behavior predictions of circular RC columns strengthened by pre-stressed CFRP strips.