The　socket　connection　method　is　widely　used　in　precast　column,　particularly　in　seismic　regions.　However,　reducing　the　socket-depth　to　lower　costs　may　lead　to　shear　failure　in　the　socketed　part　of　the　columns.　To　address　this　issue　and　achieve　cost　objectives,　a　new　approach　combines　shallow　sockets　with　corrugated　pipes　for　column-footing　joints.　Comparative　tests　were　conducted　to　investigate　failure　in　columns　with　socket-corrugated　pipe　connections　(SCPC),　shallow　sockets　(SSC),　and　cast-in-place　(CIP).　Furthermore,　finite　element　models　were　employed　to　validate　the　experimental　and　simplified　model　results.　The　findings　suggest　potential　shear　failure　in　shallow　socket　connections,　which　can　be　mitigated　by　using　the　combined　socket-corrugated　pipe　method　that　alters　force　transmission　paths.　As　the　axial　load　ratio　increases,　both　the　ultimate　lateral　load　capacity　of　the　specimen　and　the　local　stresses　at　the　column　base　increase.　In　addition,　the　ultimate　lateral　load　capacity　of　the　column　and　the　stress　of　the　connection　reinforcement　are　increased　by　increasing　the　strength　of　the　longitudinal　reinforcement,　consequently　amplifying　the　extent　of　joint　area　damage.　Finally,　a　simplified　strut-and-tie　model　of　the　SCPC,　validated　against　numerical　and　experimental　data,　accurately　represents　force　paths,　ultimate　lateral　load　capacity　and　failure　modes　in　socket　joints.　©　2024　Elsevier　Ltd