Aiming　to　meet　the　demands　of　multi-level　fortification,　this　paper　proposes　a　variable　hysteresis　rotational　friction　damper　(VH-RF).　The　damper　was　applied　to　a　bridge　pier　structure,　and　its　multi-stage　seismic　performance　was　investigated.　The　configuration　of　the　new　damper,　its　working　mechanism,　and　its　variable　hysteretic　principle　were　discussed.　In　addition,　a　simplified　analysis　model　was　established.　A　finite　element　model　of　the　new　damper　was　established　in　the　ABAQUS　software.　Based　on　the　simplified　mathematical　model　and　finite　element　model,　the　hysteretic　behavior　and　corresponding　influence　law　of　the　damper　were　systematically　studied.　A　hysteretic　behavior　model　was　developed　for　the　new　damper　in　OpenSees　to　reflect　the　multi-stage　seismic　performance　of　the　double-column　pier.　The　results　are　as　follows:　©　The　VH-RF　can　present　different　hysteretic　behaviors　under　different　deformations.　It　has　a　stable　energy　dissipation　capacity　under　small　deformations　and　great　self-centering　capability　under　large　deformations.　(2)　By　changing　the　design　parameters　of　VH-RF,　the　hysteretic　performance　of　VH-RF　can　be　adjusted.　(3)　A　double-column　pier　with　the　VH-RF　can　provide　a　staged　seismic　response,　thereby　enhancing　the　seismic　resilience　of　the　bridge　structure.　©　2022　Xi＇an　Highway　University.　All　rights　reserved.