This paper investigates the influence of hysteretic characteristics of structures on contents damage. The damage to contents considered was limited to sliding induced damage, excluding rocking induced damage. A single storey structure and contents were modelled numerically using non-linear time-history analyses of a multispring idealised model. An understanding of the sliding behaviour of contents under impulse loading of a linear elastic structure was developed, against which the performance of non-linear structures was compared. Analyses of the structures were 

completed using impulse loading and selected earthquake records over a range of natural periods and strength reduction factors. It was found that increasing strength reduction factors directly reduced contents sliding. Increasing hysteretic damping was shown to reduce contents sliding. From impulse analyses a direct relationship between increasing natural period and a reduction in contents sliding was found. This effect was complicated 

by varying frequency content of earthquakes. It was found that the magnitude of stiffness 

changes in structures required to produce shock loads on contents was above that feasibly 

possibly in real structures.