Previous　studies　have　demonstrated　that　reducing　earthquake-induced　damage　to　central　columns　in　underground　structures　can　effectively　prevent　the　collapse　of　overall　structures.　Truncated　columns　(TC)　are　less　likely　to　experience　severe　damage　during　lateral　deformation　because　the　partial　release　of　the　constraints　at　both　ends　of　the　columns　helps　maintain　their　integrity.　This　approach　can　effectively　enhance　the　seismic　performance　of　the　overall　underground　structures.　In　this　study,　pushover　and　shaking　table　tests　were　conducted　to　investigate　the　seismic　performance　of　a　subway　station　using　TC　columns　compared　to　that　using　the　cast-in-place　columns　(CC).　These　tests　aimed　to　examine　failure　modes,　structural　stiffness,　lateral　deformation　and　load-bearing　capacities,　acceleration　and　deformation　responses　of　the　underground　structures.　The　results　from　the　pushover　tests　indicated　that　the　initial　stiffness　of　both　structures-those　with　TC　and　with　CC-was　equivalent.　On　the　other　hand,　the　shaking　table　tests　showed　no　significant　differences　in　the　dynamic　responses　of　the　two　types　of　underground　structures　under　small　earthquakes.　However,　the　vertical　ground　motions　exacerbated　damage　to　the　structures.　Although　the　lateral　load-bearing　capacity　of　the　structure　with　TC　is　somewhat　lower,　the　movements　between　the　column　ends　and　beams　during　loading　enhance　the　structure＇s　ability　to　adapt　to　the　deformation　of　surrounding　soil　due　to　the　release　of　column　end　constraints.　As　a　result,　the　seismic　resistance　of　the　overall　underground　structures　is　improved.　It　is　important　to　note　that　the　ceiling　slab　and　sidewalls　in　the　structures　with　TC　are　more　likely　to　crack　during　earthquakes,　thus　requiring　additional　efforts　to　prevent　leakage.　The　findings　of　this　study　provide　experimental　evidence　that　supports　the　seismic　control　of　underground　structures.　©　2025　Elsevier　Ltd