A nonlinear spring-friction bearing (NFB) composed of a nonlinear conical spring and a plane slip bearing was proposed. The theoretical model of the bearing was established based on the structural characteristics and working principle of the bearing. The solid model of the bearing was established using the finite element soft? ware, the hysteretic properties, and stress distribution of the bearing were studied. The influence of the key param? eters of the cone spring on the hysteretic characteristics was analyzed. The time-history analysis of single-layer spherical reticulated shells with NFB and common fixed-stiffness sliding bearings under three-direction seismic ac? tion was carried out to investigate the isolation performance, and the isolation coefficient was introduced to evaluate the overall isolation effect of the structure. The results show that the NFB can effectively reduce the seismic response of the reticulated shell structure under multi-dimensional earthquakes. It has better joint relative displacement, bear? ing displacement control ability, and bearing self-reset ability when compared with the fixed stiffness slip bearing.