An iterative technique is developed for the computation of the non-linear structural damping for beam-like structures. This technique is based on the finite element approach, in which damping effect is approximated by introducing a complex modulus of elasticity whose imaginary part dependents on stress amplitude. Since stress amplitudes depend on damping magnitude, a numerically iterative scheme was developed for the computation of non-linear structural damping. To simplify computational effort, Timoshenko beam elements were used for the numerical computations. The proposed method starts by accepting an initial guess for damping. Then stresses are evaluated at the middle of each element and their amplitudes are used for the calculation of improved damping values. This method uses maximum stress developed at each element which in turn depends on magnitude of damping, as a measure for loss factor evaluation. Immaterial of the law of damping dependency on the stress amplitude, this approach gives very accurate, stable and fast converging results as compared with previous reported analytical and experimental ones. Present results show and discuss some important consequences of damping effect near and outside of resonances for structures taken into account.

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