Civil engineering structure experiment is a very important professional course, which is divided into steel structure experiment and concrete structure experiment according to materials. In view of the problems in the current steel structure experimental teaching such as focusing on theory neglecting practice, lack of experimental content, inability to strengthen the theoretical teaching effect, and few practical links for students, teaching reforms are explored in terms of teaching methods and teaching content. In terms of teaching methods, student autonomy experiments is emphasized, and teacher-student interaction is increased by the use of social information platforms. In terms of teaching content, it is proposed to change the steel beam bending test from a demonstrative test to a destructive test designed by students to enhance the theoretical teaching effect, e.g., improving the understanding of partial plate buckling and overall instability of the beam. In addition, the practice of assembling the steel components into the overall steel structure in the test is also proposed. The purpose of the teaching reform is to improve the quality of steel structure test teaching and then improve the teaching effect of steel structure theory and curriculum design practice. The paper also provides a reference for strengthening students' practical ability, engineering ability, and innovation ability training.