The finite element method has become the most powerful approach in approximating solutions of partial differential equations arising in modern engineering and physical applications. We present some efficient finite element methods for Reissner-Mindlin, biharmonic and thin plate equations.

In the first part of the talk I present some applied partial differential equations, and introduce the finite element method using the biharmonic equation. In the second part of the talk I will discuss about the finite element method for Reissner-Mindlin, biharmonic and thin plate spline equations in a unified framework.