This paper describes randomness of damping and its probabilistic characteri
stics in buildings based on full scale measurements. Amplitude dependent be
havior of damping at different amplitude level is presented and discussed,
and probabilistic characteristics of the damping at high amplitude plateau
are analysed. The obtained probability density function (PDF) of damping sh
ows that the PDF of damping at high amplitude can be well represented by th
e Normal distribution (Gaussian distribution). Copyright (C) 1999 John Wile
y & Sons, Ltd.