Abstract: Multi-storey masonry structure with first soft storey (MSHBS) is a hybrid structure with RC frame and masonry at the bottom storey,which has appeared in the past few decades to meet the commercial and other service functions on the bottom storey of the masonry structures buildings located at the side of streets.MSHBS buildings have always exhibited severe damage and even collapsed in recent strong earthquake events.This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation carried out to investigate the seismic performance and collapse mechanism of MSHBS.A 1/5 scale MSHBS building was constructed and tested under earthquake ground motions on a shaking table.Some conclusions can be drawn from the test results and are listed as follows.Firstly,the structural measures such as tied columns and ring beams can improve the ductility of MSHBS with pre-cast slabs effectively,MSHBS model stood still even the inter-storey drift reached 1/180.Secondly,the torsional effect didn’t appear during the collapse process of MSHBS building because of inhibiting effect of load bearing walls (transverse walls).Thirdly,the horizontal stiffness of the longitudinal walls at the first storey were exceedingly different,which led to the seismic shear force distribution of seismic forces in the longitudinal walls at the first storey were extremely uneven and the walls were destructed in a proper consequence but not coincident.