In seismic hazard analysis of nuclear power plant of China there is a need to identify both seismogenic structures and seismotectonic zones. In past practice,the identification of the seismogenic structures was often based on the surface active faults and characterization of linear seismic source. In a situation which shows quite strong non-random seismic activity and lacks surface active faults,it is difficult to evaluate the seismic hazard reasonably. Taking seismogenic structures in the Dayao-Yao’an area as a case study in this paper,we discuss the need and the possibility to apply the planar seismogenic structure to the seismotectonic method. We suggest that the planar seismogenic structure should be considered when applying the seismotectonic method to the seismic risk assessment of nuclear engineering in future. In seismic hazard analysis of nuclear power plant of China there is a need to identify both seismogenic structures and seismotectonic zones. In past practice, the identification of the seismogenic structures was often based on the surface active faults and characterization of linear seismic sources. In a situation which shows quite strong non-random seismic activity and lacks surface active faults, it is difficult to evaluate the seismic hazard reasonably. Taking seismogenic structures in the Dayao-Yao’an area as a case study in this paper, we discuss the need and the possibility to apply the planar seismogenic structure to the seismotectonic method. the method for the planar seismogenic structure to the seismotectonic method. The suggestion that the planar seismogenic structure should be considered when applying the seismotectonic method to the seismic risk assessment of nuclear engineering in the future.