The characteristics of structural response of rural adobe-structure buildings to earthquakes have been analyzed with the finite element method（FEM） to provide suggestions on policy for prevention of seismic disaster.The seismic response analysis shows that the part of seismic energy in the lower range of frequency is absorbed by adobe-walls and the horizontal acceleration is magnified in the upward propagation of the seismic wave.The result reveals the seismic damage mechanism that a small earthquake is likely to destroy the roof of adobestructure buildings whereas a large one may selectively destroy the load-bearing components

i.e.walls or columns

which results in the collapse of the overall building.The seismic response of an adobe-structure building with brick/wood columns as the load-bearing component is much larger than that of a similar building with its walls as the load-bearing component.In the standard middle room

the former has the maximal shearing stress at joints of columns and cross-filled walls

and the maximal principal stress on tops of columns;the latter has the maximal shearing stress at joints of longitudinal and transverse walls

and the maximal principal stress in transverse walls

in the middle room as well.The seismic damage mechanisms of the two types of adobe-structure buildings are different since they have different weak sections.