The national structural codes GB50010-2002 and GB 50011-2001 have been modified in many aspects compared with the old ones. To verify the effectiveness of structural capacity design provisions in the new codes

firstly

two typical RC frame structures of Grade 2 in intensity-category 8 and Grade 1 in intensity-category 9 are designed according to the new codes. Then

nonlinear dynamic analyses of the two structures are carried out under excitations of several ground motions with the fortification and rare intensity levels. With the analysis results the availability of strong column weak beam is checked carefully

which is desirable with capacity design measures of RC frame in Chinese new structural design code. The conclusions drawn from the analysis are helpful to structural design and local modification of the codes.