Abstract:The spectral element method was applied to analyze and calculate the dynamic response of frame structures. The dynamic stiffness matrices of the bar and beam elements were derived, and the dynamic stiffness matrix for the overall frame structure was assembled. The equations of motion of the overall structure were presented. The natural frequencies and time domain responses were calculated. The present method was compared with the finite element method. The results show that the spectral element method has its unique advantages in terms of numerical simulation.