In this paper, based on Mindlin’s theory of thick plates, using Hamiltonian formulism, the elastic wave propagation and
localized vibration in narrow plates with free boundary conditions are investigated. The existence of localized vibration
mode and propagation mode is analyzed. The dispersion relation of propagation modes in strip plates is deduced from
eigenfunction expansion method. And it is compared with the dispersion relation that is gained using Mindlin’s thick plate
theory. Based on the two kinds of theories, dispersion relation curves differ much under short wave. Cutoff frequencies are
higher under Hamilton formulism. But dispersion curves are almost same under long wave.