According to the principle of energy balance

the distribution and dissipation of earthquake input energy in the multi-storey reinforced concrete（RC）frame structure

which is most commonly used to resist earthquakes

were examined.Based on the Software Perform-3D

the numerical simulation of elastoplastic energy analysis of the structural model of this RC frame under seldom occurred earthquake of intensity 7was carried out using 8natural and 2artificial earthquake waves.The total input energy of earthquake

the hysteretic energy dissipation

the damping energy and the time-histories of the ratio of the hysteretic energy to total disspated energy were calculated

the distribution of seismic energy among the various energy components was analyzed.The influences of damping ratio and ductility ratio on the total earthquake input energy were discussed

and the hysteretic energy variations with damping ratio and ductility ratio were determined.The influence of construction of beam and column and lateral stiffness change of the reinforced concrete frame on the earthquake input energy and its components was researched

and the hysteretic energy variation in vertical direction of the structure and the distribution in the beams and columns were determined

the influence of a weak story in the five-story RC frame structure on the distribution of hysteretic energy was investigated.The results obtained in this paper present a beneficial reference to application of seismic design theory based on energy equilibrium principle to engineering practice.