Abstract: Relevant specifications on the value of peak floor acceleration in current seismic design codes of different countries are systematically investigated in this paper. Finite element models of a range of reinforced concrete frame buildings with different design parameters as well as periods of vibration were established to study the floor acceleration response. The time history analyses were conducted on both linear and nonlinear structures subjected to input ground motions of varying intensities. The peak floor acceleration was normalized by peak ground acceleration and the distribution of peak floor acceleration in each story were analyzed. The results showed that the definitions of peak floor acceleration in current seismic design codes cannot accurately evaluate the distribution of different floors and further research is needed.