This paper addresses the problem of controlling a second-order uncertain structural hysteretic system. The hysteretic behavior is represented by a Bouc-Wen model whose parameters lie within intervals. It is shown that the nonlinear response of the model acts as a bounded disturbance. This fact is used to elaborate an adaptive controller, to prove the closed-loop stability and to obtain performance bounds. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.