Abstract: The method of lines based on Hu Hai-chang’s theory for the vibration and stability of moderate thick plates is developed. The standard nonlinear ordinary differential equation(ODE)system for natural frequencies and critical load is given by use of ODE techniques, and then any indicated eigenvalue could be obtained directly from ODE solver by employing the so-called initial eigenfunction technique instead of the mode orthogonality condition. Numerical examples show that the present method is very effective and reliable.

Key words: moderate thick plate, vibration, stability, method of lines