By using several methods such as pile shear method,elastic supported rigid beam method,etc.,we calculate,compare and analyze spatial characteristics and distribution coefficients of variable stiffness frame wharf under the action of horizontal loads.The result shows that pile shear method is more suitable to indicate spatial characteristics of the frame wharf.When the stiffness between different bents is approximately similar,the distribution coefficients calculated by using elastic supported rigid beam method is similar to the value in the code.On this basis,correlation among the stiffness value,the position of the huge stiffness bent and distribution coefficient is studied by changing the stiffness value and the position.Meanwhile,the spatial characteristics of the frame wharf and the effect of face slab on distribution coefficients are analyzed.