Abstract: A model was developed to understand the aggregation process of the particles in electrorheological(ER) fluids under the action of an applied electric field. By establishing a generalized virtual work principle based on the consideration that the released electromagnetic energy accompanying the growth of the chain should equal to the dissipated energy related with friction resistance of the viscous fluid in the chain formation, the governing differential equation of the chain growth was established. Based on this energy model, the velocity of the chain forming, and the response time of ER fluid can be predicted. The present model can also predict the effect of the temperature and some microstructural parameters, such as the dielectric constants and concentration of the particles, etc., on the response of an ER system.