In the cyclic loading test of column or shear wall with the axial compression load, frictional force exists in the roller of steel hinges or the sliding rail, which is connected to the vertical actuator for applying axial force. The measurement of lateral load would be higher than its actual value due to this friction. On the basis of experimental research and finite element simulation, the variation characteristics and quantization method of the friction were investigated. In order to eliminate the influence of material nonlinearity and calculate geometric nonlinearity accurately, two steel columns were designed and cyclic loading tests under elastic situation were carried out. Besides, a finite element model which can accurately calculate the second-order effects was established on the OpenSees platform. Based on experimental and numerical results, the frictional forces were calculated, the method of determining the friction coefficient was proposed, and the influence of friction on the experimental results was evaluated. It was revealed that the frictional force caused by the devices for applying axial force was mainly affected by the axial compression force, while the top displacement of columns was of weak influence. As the axial compression force increases, the frictional force increases and the friction coefficient decreases. However, the maximum frictional force or the minimum friction coefficient converges. In cyclic loading test of the reinforced concrete columns with axial force of 350~900 kN,the measurement error of column top horizontal force caused by friction is 5~13 kN approximately.