A novel model order reduction scheme for nonlinear finite element (NL-FE) structural dynamics models is proposed in this work, which enables an overall accelerated model evaluation. The proposed multi-expansion modal (MEM) reduction employs a set of modal bases evaluated for a number of representative statically deformed configurations, combined with these static deformation patterns, to obtain a reduced order basis (ROB). This ROB is then exploited in an a priori element sampling to obtain a hyper-reduced model based on the energy-conserving sampling and weighting approach. The proposed element sampling scheme uses a nonnegative L 1 optimization of the element weights where an equality between the projected and hyper-reduced linearized stiffness matrix or static deformation forces is added. A procedure and several guidelines on the reduced order model setup and evaluation are presented, with specific attention to how the presented approach allows to exploit existing NL-FE frameworks. The MEM approach is validated numerically on an academic cantilever beam model and is shown to provide good accuracy and consistent convergence properties. KEYWORDS nonlinear, model order reduction, structural dynamics Int J Numer Methods Eng. 2019;118:765-782.wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/nme