Abstract: This paper researches on the friction between the cable and membrane in the construction of tensioned membrane structures. It uses two-node linear space cable elements to deduce the stiffness of a new continuous cable element. Using the first friction rule as the theory’s foundation, it deduces a tension formula between cable elements and membrane elements according to the relationship of stress and strain of material mechanics and the friction formula between cable elements and membrane elements. Then it deducts the judgment method of the cable sliding when the friction is considered. At last, one example is solved and some conclusions are as follows: under the same loads, cables’ stress is uniform and ridge cables’ stress overall increase when considering cables’ sliding without friction. When considering cables’ sliding with friction, the stress is uneven and decreasing, but its impact to cables’ stress is smaller. The impact of friction is bigger of ridge cables than valley cables. Membrane’s maximum principal stress is decreased, but the friction on the membrane has less effect on maximum principal stress.