Hong Kong is now recognized as an area of moderate seismic hazard, but most of the buildings have been designed with no seismic provision. It is of great significance to develop effective and practical measures to retrofit existing buildings against moderate seismic attacks. Researches show that beam-column joints are critical structural elements to be retrofitted for seismic resistance for reinforced concrete frame structures. This paper explores the possibility of using a Hydraulic Displacement Amplification Damping System (HDADS), which can be easily installed at the exterior of beam-column joints, to prevent structural damage against moderate seismic attacks. A series of shaking table tests were carried out with a 1/3 prototype steel frame have been carried out to assess the performance of the HDADS. A Numerical model representing the HDADS is developed. It is also used in numerical simulation of the shaking table tests. The numerical model of the HDADS and the numerical simulation of the shaking table tests are verified by experimental results.