Abstract: The pseudo-static approaches commonly used in the seismic design of underground structures were described and the sources of error in these approaches were analyzed respectively.Based on the response stress of one-dimensional soil layer,the finite element approach was improved and a response stress approach was put forward.To validate the finite element response stress approach,a comparison calculation was made for some shallowly embedded box-shaped structures of subway station under the given conditions by use of finite element response stress method,response displacement method,finite element response accelerated method and finite element dynamic analysis method.It was shown that the calculated result gained from the finite element response stress method was close to that from the finite element dynamic analysis method.Thus the finite element response stress approach was a practical pseudo-static one with high precision.