Purpose – To provide a model that allows testing and understanding special damping techniques. Design/methodology/approach – The finite element modeling takes into account the piezoelectric coupling. It is used with a non linear electrical circuit. The approach leads to an accurate tool to observe the behavior of the non linear damping techniques such as synchronized switch damping. Findings – The model has been validated by comparison with Ansys® but the CPU time required for the model is around one hundred times shorter. Research limitations/implications – The proposed model is 1D and the assumptions to use it are not verified for all structures. Practical implications – The authors obtain a useful tool for the design of damping structures (for example to find the best localisation of the piezoelectric patches and to test electrical circuits). Originality/value – The model is used for the design and conception of damping as well as for harvesting structures.