The chord-supported dome is composed of a single lattice shell and its lower cable rod. In order to accurately and reliably guide the actual construction of the chord-supported dome structure and ensure the smooth progress of the construction, the forward construction simulation calculation method of the chord-supported dome structure is proposed according to the principle of determining the difference between the stress-free length of each element in the initial state and the zero state. The experimental research on the tensioning of a single diagonal cable by cable is carried out using a scale model with a span of 8m Although the number of tensioning times is more, the tensioning control is more convenient and the construction simulation theory can be well verified. The experimental results show that in the process of tensioning, the theoretical calculated value of tensioning control is in good agreement with the measured value, which indicates that the proposed forward construction simulation calculation method can simulate the construction of the actual structure conveniently and accurately.