Abstract: In this paper, the generalized conforming element is used to treat the problem of large deflection of thin plates. A special computer program GCEP based upon the element has been written and used to calculate the central deflections of square plates with four simply supported, hinged and rigidly clamped edges under uniform lateral load. Numerical results indicate that the generalized conforming element has the advantages of high accuracy and uniform convergence to geometrically nonlinear problem of structures.