To investigate the influence of the vertical component of impulse-type strong earthquakes on the dynamic responses of ultra high-rise buildings, spectral elements are applied to analyze the wave effect of a simplified computational model for the main structure of typical frame core-wall structural system excited by the vertical component of impulse-type strong earthquakes. Then, the dynamic time-history results from this method are compared with those from classical vibration mechanics. In the wave propagation analysis, the spectral element using the Timoshenko’s beam theory is developed to reflect shear deformation in mega horizontal transverse link members. The axial responses of vertical members are modeled by rod spectral element and the dynamic wave equilibrium is modified to account for the time delay as earthquake waves propagating through structures. The results from examples analysis indicate obvious fluctuation of axial force in vertical members and significant relative displacement between core walls and external mega columns. Hence, shear problem in transverse link elements cannot be ignored. Such shear-induced damage would be nonlinearily coupled with the subsequent horizontal component of impulse-type strong earthquakes, requiring special attention.