Abstract. An efficient mathematical model to describe the friction of short cylindrical shell structures with a dry friction damping sleeve is proposed. The frictional force in the circumference and axial direction is caused by the opposing bending strains at the interface. Slipping will occur at part region of the interface and the mathematic model of the slipping region is established. Ignoring the effect of contact stiffness on the vibration analysis, the friction energy dissipation capability of damping sleeve would be calculated. Structural vibration mode, positive pressure at the interface and vibration stress of the short cylindrical shell structures is analyzed as influence factors to the critical damping ratio. The results show that the circumferential friction energy dissipation is more sensitive to the number of nodal diameter, and the circumferential friction damping ratio increases rapidly with the number of nodal diameter. The slipping frictional force would increase along with the positive pressure, but the slipping region would decrease with it. The peak damping ratio keeps nearly constant. But the vibration stress corresponding to peak damping ratio would increases with the positive pressure. The dry friction damping ratio of damping sleeve contains the effect of frictional force in the circumference and axial direction, and the axial friction plays a major role.