Abstract: Based on the results of a large number of parametric analyses for failure modes of reticulated shells, the typical examples of Kiewitt-8 single-layer reticulated domes subjected to impact have been illustrated. The reticulated dome contains a Kiewitt-8 single-layer reticulated dome, a Geodesic dome, a Schwedler Reticulated Dome and a Cylindrical Lattice shell. Then the whole course of failure cased by the impact and the characteristic of loading, the characteristic response and energy transfer and conversion are described in detail. Based on the studies above, three failure modes of a reticulated shell under impact are defined as the local dent of a structure, the global collapse of a structure and the punching failure of a structure. The above work makes the preparations for the research on impact failure mechanism and a protection method.