Abstract: The contact force between plates and ground is treated as a continuous function, and the 16node degenerated isoparametric element is proposed for the analysis of plates on ground. The degenerated element can properly describe the shape and thickness variety of the plates. The connection with corresponding solid element is convenient for no rotation degree of freedom . Furthermore, the horizontal stiffness of the ground can be considered easily. The numerical results show that this element is powerful for thin and thick plates on ground and the method can give good results.