Abstract Studies were conducted to analyze the behavior of a high-rise structure on various kinematic effects, taking into account the real geometry, dissipative and nonlinear properties of the structure material. A generalized approach was developed for the dynamic calculation of high-rise structures, and the frequency response characteristics at various points of the structure were built. It was found that nonlinear properties are manifested when the impact can cause significant strain in the structure. This applies not only to the magnitude of the impact intensity, but also to its frequency content. If a non-linearly elastic strain of the material is manifested in the structure, then this leads to a decrease in the amplitudes of points displacements and to an increase in oscillation period compared to a linearly elastic structure under similar kinematic effects.