OpenSees based substructure pseudo-dynamic test method was investigated. Several key problems, such as real-time inquiry of substructure responses, boundary condition simulation, and data exchange of request displacements and feedback forces between substructures and time history analysis program, were discussed. Using the method, a virtual pseudo-dynamic substructure test was conducted to simulate the seismic response of an eight-story steel frame with buckling restrained braces. The test results were compared with time history analysis results calculated with OpenSees, and the good agreement verifies the feasibility and effectiveness of the method.