Abstract: The present paper deals with the loaded capability of laminated plate and shell structures using finite element technique. The finite elements adopted are triangular bending elements and shell elements with discrete Kir-chhoff hypothesis. The nonlinear iteration scheme employs variable load steps as well as constant or variable stiffness alternatively. A computer program DDJ-FZJF is developed and several computional examples are given. The numerical results show reasonableness of the method and effe-ctiveness of the compater program,