For civil engineering, civil engineering structure experiment is a very important professional course, which divided into two parts: steel structure experiment and concrete structure experiment. The main shortcomings in the part of steel structure experiment including focusing on theory and neglecting practice, lack of experimental content, inability to strengthen the theoretical teaching effect, and few practical links for students. The reasons for the shortcomings are analyzed, and teaching reforms are explored in terms of teaching methods and teaching content. In terms of teaching methods, student autonomy experiments was emphasized, and teacher-student interaction was 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. The destructive test can enhance the theoretical teaching effect, e.g., improve 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 was 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.