A　semi-discrete　finite　element　formulation　is　presented　for　the　bending　analysis　of　eccentrically　stiffened　plates　and　slab-girder　bridges　subjected　to　transverse　loads.　The　plate　and　stiffeners　are　modeled　by　plate　and　beam　elements,　respectively.　The　extensional　displacements　reflecting　the　plate-stiffener　interaction　in　the　plate　and　beam　elements　are　approximated　in　terms　of　the　bending　deformations.　This　is　accomplished　by　modifying　the　flexural　rigidities　of　the　plate　and　stiffeners　based　on　the　integration　by　which　the　internal　forces　were　derived　from　the　internal　stresses.　This　alleviates　the　need　for　the　extensional　degrees　of　freedom　for　the　plate　and　beam　elements.　Consequently,　the　formulation　is　considerably　simplified　and　the　resulting　model　is　computationally　efficient.　The　numerical　results　are　compared　with　those　obtained　by　other　methods.　It　is　demonstrated　that　the　proposed　simplified　model　can　satisfactorily　predict　the　response　of　stiffened　panels　with　moderately　spaced　stiffeners　such　as　bridge　decks.　(C)　2002　Elsevier　Science　Ltd.　All　rights　reserved.