Endurance time method（ETM）is a dynamic time history-based approach to structural seismic response analysis

which has the characteristic that the ground motion intensity increases with time.In the present study

endurance time accelerograms（ETAs）were developed based on Chinese code response spectrum

and applied on an 8-story 3-bay steel frame structure to evaluate the seismic performance.The structural global response due to ETAs was assessed through incremental dynamic analysis（IDA）.Using the response of the structure subjected to real severe ground motions as reference

the probability of occurrence

yielding sequence and rotation ductility ratio of plastic hinges for ETM

were compared.The analytical results indicate endurance time method

with less time-consuming

has an excellent potential to predict the nonlinear response of steel frames structure

which provides a novel approach to quickly analyze and evaluate the seismic performance of steel frame structure.