Abstract: On the basis of geometrically nonlinear field theory of rational mechanics,the equi- valent Karman equations in rate form of finite deflection of heated elastic thin plates are given. Transforming the equations into boundary integral equations in two different frames by consider-ing that finite defiection is a coupled problem of small deflection of thin plate and planar finite deformation,a new boundary element method for the problem is set up.Numerical examples demonstrate that the method is accurate and feliable.

Key words: heated elastic thin plate, BEM, finite deflection, co-moving coordinate, instan-taneous configuration