A structural coupling method is developed for the dynamic analysis of a nonlinear structure with concentrated nonlinear hinge joints or sliding lines. The component mode synthesis method is extended to couple substructures and the nonlinear models. In order to verify the improved coupling method, a numerical plate model consisting of two substructures and torsional springs, is synthesized by using the proposed method and its modal parameters are compare with analysis data. Then the coupling method is applied to a three-substructure-model with the nonlinearity of sliding lines between the substructures. The coupled structural model is verified from its dynamic analysis. The analysis results show that the improved coupling method is adequate for the structural nonlinear analyses with the nonlinear hinge and sliding mode condition.