This　paper　proposes　a　uniform　damage　design　method　for　buckling-restrained　braced　frames　(BRBFs).　Through　the　optimization　of　buckling-restrained　braces　(BRBs),　an　improved　design　result　could　be　achieved.　This　means　a　uniform　degree　of　damage　to　each　story,　so　that　the　weak　story　could　be　eliminated.　The　objective　was　to　achieve　an　equal　or　similar　damage　index　for　each　story　by　optimizing　the　initial　stiffness　of　the　BRBs.　The　uniform　damage　design　of　BRBFs　was　achieved　using　a　combination　of　an　intelligent　algorithm　and　the　finite　element　platform.　Non-linear　time　history　analysis　and　incremental　dynamic　analysis　were　conducted　to　verify　the　optimization　results.　These　results　indicated　that　the　damage　degree　distribution　could　be　effectively　controlled　by　optimizing　the　BRBs＇　initial　stiffness　distribution　using　an　intelligent　algorithm.　The　optimal　initial　stiffness　distribution　of　BRBs　under　different　seismic　waves　was　not　identical.　A　design　scheme　that　takes　the　average　value　of　the　optimal　results　under　different　seismic　waves　as　the　initial　stiffness　distribution　of　BRBs　could　improve　structural　seismic　capacity.　©　2023　Elsevier　Ltd