Superelastic　shape　memory　alloys　(SMAs)　can　recover　large　inelastic　deformation　meanwhile　dissipating　energy　under　loading　reversals.　This　property　makes　them　an　attractive　alternative　for　developing　structures　with　desirable　self-centering　(SC)　capability.　For　SMA　braced　frames　(SMABFs),　which　have　not　been　codified　in　current　seismic　provisions,　their　deformation　demand　under　earthquakes　needs　to　be　estimated　with　confidence　in　the　phase　of　seismic　design,　retrofit　or　upgrade.　In　this　work,　the　inelastic　displacement　ratio,　i.e.　CR,　is　explored　to　address　current　issue.　The　fundamental　behavior　of　SMABFs　is　understood　by　analyzing　the　equivalent　single-degree-of-freedom　(SDOF)　systems,　with　the　purpose　of　evaluating　and　discussing　the　influence　of　fundamental　period　(T),　strength　reduction　ratio　(R)　and　hysteretic　parameters　of　systems　(including　the　secondary　stiffness　ratio　alpha　and　the　hysteresis　width　beta)　on　CR.　The　regression　of　CR　is　further　conducted　to　be　a　function　of　T,　R,　alpha,　and　beta.　Subsequently,　a　CR-based　seismic　design　procedure　is　developed　for　multi-story　SMABFs.　Two　frame　structures　of　3　and　6　stories　are　utilized　to　verify　the　proposed　design　procedure.　The　seismic　analysis　results　indicate　that　the　mean　responses　of　designed　structures　agree　well　with　prescribed　performance　targets.　Although　SMABFs　are　focused　in　this　study,　the　proposed　method　could　also　shed　light　on　the　other　types　of　SC　structures.