In　this　study,　the　model　of　a　single-layer　spherical　reticulated　shell　is　established　with　the　fiber　model　using　program　OpenSEES.　The　plastic　developing　process　and　the　seismic　failure　mode　are　studied　with　the　incremental　dynamic　analysis.　Based　on　the　analyses　on　the　change　of　fiber　stress　over　time,　the　plastic　development　of　the　elements　and　the　distribution　of　the　failure　elements,　the　collapse　mechanism　of　the　single-layer　spherical　reticulated　shell　structure　is　revealed.　Moreover,　the　effects　of　span,　rise-span　ratio　and　roof　load　on　ultimate　bearing　capacity　of　single-layer　reticulated　shells　under　earthquakes　are　analyzed,　which　can　provide　reference　for　the　engineering　design.　©　2019,　Editorial　Board　of　World　Earthquake　Engineering.　All　right　reserved.