Abstract: To a dome-cylinder structure，the stress characteristics of flat base，vertical cylindrical wall and spherical dome were analyzed，and the simplified calculation formulae of the characteristics were given，there from the performance evaluation method of the structure was put forward. The core idea of the method was as follows: firstly deducing the concrete performance parameters were deduced from the data of construction stage，and the evaluation standard of test deformation was set up according to the predicted deformation in test，and finally the structure performance was evaluated through confirmatory test and internal-external visual inspections. Further more，the elastic modulus and poisson's ratio were modified for next evaluation. The evaluation method was also applied and discussed at the test of the containment of a nuclear power station. Which could provide theoretical support and reference for similar structure assessment.