SUMMARYExperiments were conducted to measure the damping in low-aspect-ratio, reinforced concrete shear walls with the specific intent of obtaining a better understanding of how this parameter changes with increasing stress levels. These experiments and the corresponding results are presented, along with a description of the methods used to estimate damping from measured input and response data and a summary of a numerical study that was undertaken to assess the relative accuracy of these methods. Also presented are the testing methods used in this study, including static cyclic tests, experimental modal analyses, and simulated seismic testing on a shake table. The results are summarized and compared with those obtained by other investigators. In conclusion, an empirical relationship is developed for equivalent viscous damping in low-aspect-ratio shear walls as a function of the peak nominal base shear stress the shear wall experiences during a seismic event.