In this work, the influence of the longitudinal reinforcement cover and supplementary transversal reinforcement on the ultimate strength of the concrete columns under eccentric compression is studied. For this purpose, tests on short columns with continuum and lapped spliced bars were carried out. A theoretical model for the calculation of the stress and bond distributions on the splice length is proposed and tested with the experimental data of this work, showing a good agreement. The relevance of the end bearing effect on the transmission of the forces in the splice is shown. An alert again the usual technique used to repair the corroded bars inside the column, i.e., to remove partially or totally the remaining concrete cover to treat or substitute the damaged reinforcement bars, and lately to put back the concrete cover. This technique may provide the element failure by the lost of bond between the remaining concrete surface and reinforcement bars. It is shown how the absence of supplementary transversal reinforcement can lead to the instability of column.