The　axial　dynamic　buckling　responses　of　pseudo-elastic　NiTi　alloy　cylindrical　shells　were　investigated　experimentally　for　various　length/diameter　ratios　and　end　constraint　conditions　by　using　a　modified　single　pulse　SHPB　apparatus.　The　results　show　that　under　single　pulse　axial　loading　it　will　first　appear　the　axisymmetrical　buckling　waviness　and　then　transit　into　non-axisymmetric　buckling　mode.　This　multiple　buckling　mode　and　mode　transition　behavior　is　possibly　due　to　the　wave　effect　under　dynamic　loading.　The　non-axisymmetric　buckling　patterns　are　significantly　related　to　the　length/diameter　ratio　and　end　constraint　condition.　The　initial　defect　distribution　will　affect　even　dominate　the　non-axisymmetric　buckling　pattern.　It　was　observed　that　multiple　phase　transition　hinges　(THs)　formed　in　the　specimen,　which　can　increase　the　energy　absorption　efficiency.　The　critical　buckling　threshold　and　the　energy　absorption　efficiency　under　impact　loading　are　much　greater　than　that　under　quasi-static　loading.　The　THs　and　the　dynamic　buckling　folds　are　recoverable　for　NiTi　specimens　due　to　the　thermo-elastic　austenite-martensite　phase　transition,　which　differs　substantially　from　the　behavior　of　the　conventional　elastic　plastic　shells.　(C)　2011　Elsevier　Ltd.　All　rights　reserved.