This　study　aimed　to　develop　a　novel　self-centering　friction　damper　(SC-FD)　consisting　of　the　winding　rope,　the　friction　shaft　and　the　self-centering　spring.　The　theoretical　model　and　equations　for　the　mechanical　properties　of　the　SC-FD　were　derived.　Then,　the　dynamic　performance　test　of　the　SC-FD　and　finite　element　simulation　were　done　to　validate　the　theoretical　mechanical　model　of　the　SC-FD.　Finally,　the　influence　of　the　main　parameters　on　the　dynamic　performance　of　SC-FD　was　analyzed　and　design　recommendations　were　made.　The　study　showed　that　the　SC-FD　exhibited　stable　flag-type　hysteretic　behavior,　with　good　energy　dissipation　capability　and　selfcentering　performance.　The　theoretical　model　and　equations　derived　in　this　study　can　be　used　to　predicate　the　behavior　of　the　SC-FD　accurately.　The　parameters,　such　as　the　initial　inclination　angle　of　the　winding　rope,　winding　turns　of　the　winding　rope　and　the　stiffness　of　the　self-centering　spring　and　so　on,　had　significant　influences　on　the　mechanical　performance　of　SC-FD,　which　should　be　optimized　in　the　designing　of　the　SC-FD　in　order　to　get　excellent　mechanical　performance.