Structural analysis is prerequisite to evaluate dynamic failures of vertical axis wind turbine systems(VAWTS). Several key scientific issues of structural analysis for VAWTS are reviewed in the present paper including aerodynamic models, wind and wave coupling, wind turbine foundations and structural analysis etc. The knowledge and development of structural analysis of VAWTS is discussed based on its historical developments and logical relations, and several typical models which have been developed in recent years are systematically summarized. The development trends of structural analysis for VAWTS are suggested on the basis of our understanding of essential physical mechanism of VAWTS.