An analytical study of a large panel system to be used in high seismicity areas is presented in the paper. The analytical investigations are supported by experimental results. Special attention is given to inelastic response history analysis. New mathematical models of the hysteretic behaviour of joints, taking into account shear slip and gap opening, were developed and incorporated into the DRAIN-2D-2 program. Due to the system’s suitable structural concept, a nearly monolithic response of SCT large panel buildings to strong earthquakes has been observed, which makes possible the construction of such buildings up to 10 stories high in zones with intensity IX.