In order to study the seismic performance of corroded steel frame structures in sulfate environment, outdoor accelerated corrosion tests and lateral low cyclic loading tests were carried out on six plane steel frame structures. Firstly, a deterioration model of mechanical property with mass loss rate for corroded Q235B steel was proposed. Then, the failure process and characteristics of corroded plane steel frame structures were observed, the effects of corrosion level and axial compression ratio on the hysteretic curves, bearing capacity, stiffness degradation, ductility and energy dissipation capacity were studied in detail. The test results indicated that in relatively slight corrosion level, all specimens exhibited a hybrid yield dissipation mechanism. However, an increase in corrosion level tended to accelerate plastic hinge formation and aggravate structural damage degree. Additionally, with the increase of corrosion level, the lateral bearing capacity reduced, stiffness degradation intensified, ductility and energy dissipation capacity decreased; with the increase of axial compression ratio, the ultimate bearing capacity, ductility and energy dissipation all decreased.
