Abstract: Failure mechanism of the single-layer Schwedler latticed shells under severe earthquake actions was studied. The imperfect model of a 40 m-span Schwedler latticed shells was developed through a structural analysis of dynamic whole-course. Dynamic performance and failure mode of the shell were examined. The parametrical effects of the shell with initial imperfection were discussed to analyze how the three parameters affect the shell's dynamic performance, i.e. earthquake, section of members and roof loading. The dynamic failure mechanism and mode of such a shell structure were studied under different conditions, and the results were compared to other spherical latticed shells. The effectiveness of the suggested theoretical procedure was verified.