Abstract: In this paper,a triangular element for plate bending taking into consideration the transverse shear deformation is developed based upon the Mindlin theory for moderately thick plate.The element stiffness matrix of soil medium is derived based on the Winkier sou model. According to the principles of the interaction of soil and structure,a computing program for the analysis of moderately thick rafts in complex shapes on elastic foundation is coded.The numerical examples show that the present method is effective for solving the bending of moder-ately thick rafts on elastic foundation.