Abstract: To investigate the seismic performance of conventional steel brace-frame bent structures in high-intensity areas, a shaking table test with a scale ratio of 1∶20 was carried out. The frequency, inter-story drift ratio, acceleration amplification factor, and damage distribution were studied. Besides, a corresponding scaled finite element model was established by ABAQUS finite element software, which was compared with the test results. The weak parts of the structure were strengthened and analyzed. Results of the test and the finite element model show that after an 8-degree rare earthquake, the structure's natural frequency degradation is small, the whipping effect occurs at the top of the structure, inter-story drift ratio meets code requirements, and the major damage is concentrated on the steel braces arranged longitudinally of the fifth story. After strengthening the braces on this floor, the structural damage is effectively alleviated.