This　paper　addresses　the　problem　of　identification　of　damage　locations　for　plate-like　structures　using　strain　mode　technique.　Based　on　the　Rayleigh-Ritz　approach,　the　strain　modal　analysis　of　a　damaged　plate　is　performed　and　strain　mode　shapes　are　consequently　obtained.　In　light　of　the　continuity　condition　and　the　residual　strain　mode　shape　technique,　two　novel　damage　sensitive　parameters　are　proposed　to　determine　the　locations　of　damage,　and　corresponding　damage　indices　are　constructed.　Compared　with　the　conventional　indices,　they　are　simple　and　intuitive,　and　easy　to　be　used　in　practice.　Numerical　simulations　and　experiments　are　carried　out.　Results　show　a　good　consistency　and　a　strong　identification　capability　of　the　proposed　indices.　(C)　2002　Elsevier　Science　Ltd.　All　rights　reserved.