Seismic design of building structures is a major course of civil engineering. Based on its characteristics of numerous contents, deep theory, abstract conception, bad effect of traditional teaching mode, a teaching mode combining engineering case and virtual experiments is proposed. The present condition and problems of seismic design of building structures are analyzed in this paper and the modes and characteristics of "engineering case-virtual experiments" teaching model is summarized, then the teaching reform strategy and curriculum teaching content setting are stated, at last, taking reaction spectrum theory as an example, the practice application of the teaching model are introduced in detail. The teaching model takes basic theory and method of seismic design as the main line. Visualization of a seismic situation helps students submit, analyze and solve problems. Meanwhile, the teaching model emphasizes heuristic teaching, students’ understanding of basic concept and principle of seismic is deepened, and students’ comprehensive ability is strengthened.