To　understand　the　higher　modal　effect　on　the　accuracy　of　pushover　analysis　for　shear　wall　structure,　the　influence　of　damage　on　the　vibration　characteristics　of　shear-wall　structures　is　investigated.　Employing　the　continuum　technique,　the　shift　of　modal　shapes　and　periods　for　the　first　three　modes　is　obtained　when　the　plastic　zone　exists　in　the　bottom　of　the　shear　wall.　It　can　be　conclude　that　plastic　zone　may　enhance　the　higher　modal　effect　when　the　internal　force　responses　of　shear　walls　are　considered.　The　higher　modal　contribution　can　not　be　neglected　when　computing　the　nonlinear　earthquake　responses　of　shear　wall　structures.　©　(2012)　Trans　Tech　Publications,　Switzerland.