In this paper, form vulnerability theory was applied to the analysis of the failure mechanisms of single-layer latticed spherical shells subjected to seismic excitations. Three 1/10 scale testing models were designed with characteristics as follows: Model 1 possesses overall uniform stiffness and is expected to collapse in the strength failure mode as some members become plastic; Model 2 possesses six man-made weak parts located on six radial main rib zones and is expected to collapse in the dynamic instability mode with all members still in the elastic stage; Model 3 strengthens the six weak zones of Model 2, and therefore, its stiffness is uniform. Model 3 is proposed to collapse in the strength failure mode when the members are still in the elastic stage. By increasing the peak ground accelerations of seismic waves gradually, the shaking table tests were carried out until all three models collapsed (or locally collapsed). On the basis of form vulnerability theory, topological hierarchy models of the test models were established through a clustering process, and various failure scenarios, including overall collapse scenarios and partial collapse scenarios, were identified by unzipping corresponding hierarchical models. By comparison of the failure scenarios based on theoretical analysis and experiments, it was found that vulnerability theory could effectively reflect the weakness zones in topological relations of the structures from the perspective of internal causes. The internal mechanisms of the distinct failure characteristics of reticulated shells subjected to seismic excitations were also revealed in this process. The well-formedness of structural clusters, Q, is closely related to the collapse modes, i.e., uniform changes of Q indicate a uniform distribution of overall structural stiffness, which indicates that strength failure is likely to happen; conversely, non-uniform changes of Q indicate that weak zones exist in the structure, and dynamic instability is likely to occur.
