The modal strain energy method is used in conjunction with a three-dimensional finite element analysis in the characterization of the effects of in-plane and interlaminar stresses in fluid-filled composite laminate cylindrical shells. A semi-analytical, 8-noded isoparametric finite element, which includes both the symmetric and antisymmetric modes in the circumferential direction, is used in the analysis. The effects of fiber angle, contained fluid height, size parameter of the shell, and stacking sequence on the contribution of in-plane and interlaminar stresses to the overall system damping in fluid-filled, composite laminate cylindrical shells are studied.The modal strain energy method is used in conjunction with a three-dimensional finite element analysis in the characterization of the effects of in-plane and interlaminar stresses in fluid-filled composite laminate cylindrical shells. A semi-analytical, 8-noded isoparametric finite element, which includes both the symmetric and antisymmetric modes in the circumferential direction, is used in the analysis. The effects of fiber angle, contained fluid height, size parameter of the shell, and stacking sequence on the contribution of in-plane and interlaminar stresses to the overall system damping in fluid-filled, composite laminate cylindrical shells are studied.