To investigate the performances of reinforced concrete columns under rockfall impact, a damage state analysis method for RC columns is proposed by considering the strain rate effect of dynamic shear capacity. Firstly, the accuracy and predicting capacity of proposed FE model are validated with a drop weight test, and then a FE model of the substructure of Chediguan Bridge is established regarding the interaction between piles and soil layers. Secondly, the static shear capacity of RC columns is considered by the equations presented by Priestley, and the strain rate effect of the concrete is described by K&C model. Then, a series of cases are conducted to obtain the damage degree of RC columns subjected to varying impact conditions. Finally, the effect of sectional area of columns, transverse reinforcement ratio, concrete strength and the slenderness ratio on the shear damage degree of the columns are examined through a parametric analysis. Results show that the global average method exhibits a disadvantage since the descent stage of rockfall impact force-time history has a longer duration, it would lead to a low equivalent static load under high impact strength. The proposed analysis approach can more accurately evaluate the damage state of RC columns subject to rockfall impact by considering dynamic shear capacity. The parametric analysis results show that the increasing of the sectional area and transverse reinforcement ratio inordinately reduce the damage level of RC columns.