Considering　the　difference　of　cumulative　deformation　energy　between　the　elastic-plastic　state　and　the　ideal　elastic　state,　a　structural　damage　assessment　method　based　on　the　generalized　elastic–plastic　energy　dissipation　ratio　(GEPEDR)　is　proposed.　To　solve　the　problem　that　the　actual　structure　dynamic　response　in　the　ideal　elastic　state　is　difficult　to　predict,　a　method　to　deduce　the　dynamic　response　in　the　ideal　elastic　state　according　to　Kalman　filter　is　proposed.　Based　on　the　above　research,　the　overall　damage　and　interlayer　damage　assessment　methods　of　seismic-damaged　structures　are　presented.　The　nonlinear　finite　element　analysis　of　reinforced　concrete　(RC)　frame　structures　and　the　shaking　table　test　of　the　12-story　RC　frame　structure　are　taken　as　examples　for　verification.　The　results　show　that　the　GEPEDR　method　can　realize　damage　assessment　based　on　only　seismic　signals　and　structural　responses　and　reveal　the　dynamic　evolution　process　of　structural　overall　damage　and　the　distribution　of　weak　story.　©　2022　Elsevier　Ltd