According to the “code for design of concrete structures” (GB 50010-2010), the user subroutine VUMAT that can be implemented in the advanced finite element program ABAQUS is coded, in which the strain rate effect of material can be considered. The simulated results of a reinforced concrete column under static and dynamic loading modes are compared with experimental results, which proves the reliablity of the coded subroutine. Incremental dynamic analysis of a four-storey reinforced concrete frame structure is conducted to study the effects of strain rate on the maximum top displacement, maximum base shear, maximum storey drift, capacity curve, collapse-resistant capacity and collapse mode. The results show that the maximum top displacement and maximum storey drift decrease after considering strain rate effect; the maximum storey drift is more sensitive to strain rate than the maximum top displacement; As the intensity of earthquake increases, the influence of strain rate to the structural response is more obvious; the collapse process is basically unchanged after considering strain rate effect, but the collapse-resistant capacity increases obviously.