With the flexibility-based fiber model,the seismic behaviors of RC structures with specially shaped columns,designed according to the current code,are analyzed under unidirectional rare earthquakes using nonlinear dynamic analysis method.The beam strength is calculated with or without consideration of the diaphragm and its reinforcement.The results are compared and the conclusion has been drawn that the bending capacity of beams would be increased due to the effect of diaphragm and its reinforcement,and which would change the failure mechanism of RC frames under rare earthquake,especially in high intensity areas.Therefore the influence of the diaphragm should be considered during the seismic design of the type of structure.