Abstract This paper deals with a new mixed finite element solution of the Dirichlet problem of fourth order elliptic linear partial differential operators with variable coefficients. As examples, bending problems of elastic plates having variable thickness have been considered, for which the algorithm of this method allows a simultaneous determination of the deflection, the curvature components and the „actual”︁ bending and twisting moments of the plate, the „actual”︁ bending and twisting moments being the components of the Lagrange multiplier of this method. Suitable error estimates are obtained under necessary regularity assumptions on the solution.