Which of the following factors contributes to poor column behavior in seismic events?

Poor column behavior during seismic events can be significantly influenced by poor column design. A well-designed column should adequately account for the forces and displacements that occur during an earthquake, which includes considerations such as load paths, material properties, geometry, and lateral stability. When a column is inadequately designed, it may not have sufficient strength or ductility to endure the dynamic loads imposed during seismic activity.

An effective design incorporates various factors, including reinforcement detailing, which enhances the column's ability to absorb and dissipate energy. If these factors are neglected, the column can fail under seismic loads, leading to structural failures, which emphasizes the importance of thoughtful architectural and engineering design principles in seismic-resistant structures.

While the other choices may impact structural integrity or performance in different contexts, they are not as directly related to the primary concern of column performance during seismic events as poor design.