Deformation based damage limits for reinforced concrete members, which were mandated in Turkish Building Earthquake Codes, 2018 were analytically investigated to be able to determine the earthquake performance of structural members. Reinforced concrete beam models were designed by taking constant geometry and changing the compression reinforcement ratio and concrete compressive strength as different parameters. The nonlinear behavior of reinforced concrete beam sections was investigated using the moment-curvature relationships obtained based on real material behavior. The failure stages and behavior of beam cross-sections were examined by using the data obtained from moment-curvature relations of reinforced concrete beam models. Damage limit values given in Turkish Building Earthquake Codes, 2018 were calculated for the designed concrete beam models. The deformation limits were calculated for the levels of Collapse Prevention, Controlled Damage and Limited Damage performance levels as defined in TBDY 2018. Three different damage limits for the beams and the correspondence strain limits for these beams were calculated. Beam damages and damage limits were evaluated for the corresponding displacement demands. Different performance levels of the designed reinforced concrete beams were investigated by calculating the limit values of strains and plastic rotation values for the concrete and the reinforcing steel. Damage limits of plastic rotations for collapse prevention and controlled damage performance levels are functions of yield curvature, ultimate curvature, plastic hinge length, shear length and the diameter of the longitudinal reinforcement. In reinforced concrete beam elements; it is observed that the concrete compressive strength has important effect on the collapse prevention and controlled damage rotations. In rectangular cross-section reinforced concrete beam elements; it is proven that the compression reinforcement ratios are effective on the concrete compressive strain and rotation angles at the collapse prevention and controlled damage rotations.