Abstract: Based on hybrid tests on a planar frame structure with energy dissipation cladding panels (i.e., damping structure) and a planar frame structure (i.e., seismic structure), pseudo static tests were conducted on the substructures to further evaluate the mechanical behavior, damage pattern of these two kinds of structures and the effect of the energy dissipation cladding panels (EDCPs) on the seismic performance of the main structure. The results indicated that beam hinge mechanism, in which plastic hinges form at the beam ends and bottom of the columns, was achieved on both the two specimens, indicating that the EDCPs did not change the damage mode of the main structure. In the damping structure, the U-shaped steel dampers (USDs) maintained the expected crawler-type rolling deformation mode before the maximum inter-story drift reached 1/55. However, due to the in-plane rotation of the cladding panel, only limited increase of the horizontal shear deformation of the USDs occurred, and obvious deformation at the arc segment was observed. No crack appeared on the cladding panels during the test. The widths of the cracks at the line connection and the strain of the connecting reinforcement were small, indicating that the line connection was reliable. Both the two specimens showed satisfying deformation capacity and energy dissipation capacity. Compared with the seismic structure, the damping structure showed better stiffness, load bearing capacity and energy dissipation capacity under the same displacement.