This work is concerned with the study and use of dry friction dampers for vibration control. First, the characteristics of the friction damper are determined. Then, the friction damper is applied to a hinged-hinged beam,The amplitude-frequency response for a harmonic excitation is determined both theoretically and experimentally. For linearization of the equations of motion, the friction force is replaced by an equivalent linear viscous force dissipating the same energy per cycle. The results obtained from experiments and theory are in good agreement, and it is shown that, by a suitable choice of the ratio of the friction force to applied force the friction damper can be an effective damping device.