Abstract: In order to study the stress mechanism of a new type of high strength steel tube bridge pier with energy-dissipating shell plates, the axial compression test was carried out on 8 new Q460 high strength steel pipe pier specimens. The load-displacement curve and load-strain curve of each specimen were obtained. By comparing and analyzing the failure mode, bearing capacity, ductility performance and other mechanical characteristics of the specimens under axial compression, the rules of bearing capacity and deformation performance of the new type bridge pier were discussed. The test results show that the axial compression failure of these specimens can be divided into three types: “elephant foot” failure of root, shear failure of the high strength bolt and “flattening” failure of upper and lower parts. The load-bearing capacity and ductility of the high-strength steel tube bridge pier with energy-dissipating components under axial load are improved, especially the load-bearing capacity of components. The strength and thickness of the low yield point energy dissipation steel plate have some impacts on the bearing capacity of the specimens. With the increase of strength and thickness of the low yield point steel plates, the axial compression bearing capacity of the specimens increases, and the influence of the thickness of the low yield point steel plates on the axial compression bearing capacity of the specimens is more significant.