This paper presents a study on vibration control of a cylindrical shell using distributed piezoelectric sensors and actuators which are parts of the shell wall. Modal expansion method is used in establishment of the state equation of the system. The robust control including H-infinity control theory and mu-synthesis method are applied to the design of the controller which satisfies given control performance and robust stability. Simulation and experiment are carried out when the shell is excited at the resonance frequency of a controlled mode. The results show good agreement between simulation and experiment, as well as the effectiveness of the method using distributed sensors and actuators, and H-infinity control theory and mu-synthesis method.