Three dimensional frame structures with such nonlinearities as large displacements, medium rotations, plastic hinges and local defects are efficiently analyzed by introducing the nonlinear rotational spring. Formulations are based on the incremental updated Lagrangian descriptions and the virtual work principle, Axial displacement and twisted angle in beam elements are interpolated linearly, while bending displacements are approximated by the Hermite polynomials. The modified are length method is used as a solution method. The moment-angle of rotation relationship obtained analytically or experimentally can be easily incorporated into the solution procedure. Several examples tested show that the present method can be used efficiently in analyzing nonlinear frame structures with plastic hinges or local defect.