Seismic activity is a sudden release of energy which is expressed thru ground motions. Ground motions can be recorded by various devices and thus create very complicated series of data that are described by number of characteristics in order to achieve relation with the structure vulnerability. An earthquakes have become more frequent with many climate changes, accordingly the number of seismic analysis is increased with desire of reducing earthquake consequences. The analysis of these master thesis investigated the influence of ten selected seismic record characteristics on nonlinear structure response with result of defined characteristics with greatest influence on structural vulnerability. The analysis was performed on the numerical nonlinear model that was previously calibrated on the ICONS experimental model. This model is an example of “existing buildings”, that were designed without the use of seismic regulations before 40 years ago. This type of buildings prevail in the observed cities of Zagreb and Dubrovnik, which are seismically the most vulnerable parts of Croatia. The analysis required the selection process of 60 seismic records based on peak ground acceleration (PGA), magnitude (M) and distance from the epicenter (R), which are results of the disaggregation and uniform hazard spectrum. Performed dynamic time history analysis of the seismic records resulted in the storeys displacements from which calculated comparison curves of certain characteristics and maximum interstorey drift ratios (IDR) as a structural damage measure) were defined. The analysis showed significant correlation between record properties and damage curves, and accordingly peak ground velocity (PGV), specific energy density (SED) and Housner intensity (HI) have the greatest influence on structural vulnerability and therefore these characteristics are most reliable for structural vulnerability assessments and they should be considered at the selections of seismic records in structural damage analyses.