Abstract: Nowadays, direct analysis design method is the whole process of a direct analysis based on the ultimate limit state. When the multi-story steel structures design uses this method, checking its lateral deflections of a column are over standard requirements. Therefore, if it uses the direct analysis design method based on the deformation performance of a structure, you should predict the second-order drift of the structure at first then checking the ultimate limit state. The final result is consistent with the traditional result. Thusly, it can simplify design steps and process. The article introduces three methods of the second-order drift of a brace-steel frame structure, numerical simulation considered random defects, fitting formula and neural network. All of the methods could obtain reliable prediction results. After the second-order lateral shift prediction of a structure by the above method, the reasonable limit analysis design method is selected to compare the limit requirements of the specification, and effective and simple structural design is carried out.