To solve the problems encountered in the civil engineering courses pertinent to the experimental tests, this study analyzes the existing problems from the aspects of attention degree, hardware conditions, organization management and assessment methods. And an experimental teaching method to solve the practical engineering project problems was proposed. The teaching mode of "student as center, group as unit" optimizes performance evaluation standards, guides students to establish a comprehensive knowledge system, and stimulates the interests of students and motivations to actively be involved in the experimental investigations. Taking the experimental teaching of wind loads as an example, the implementation of the teaching reform program is discussed in detail. The results show that the proposed teaching method could cultivate the ability to analyze and solve practical problems in engineering practices, teamwork spirits and scientific innovations, and the teaching effects are quite remarkable.