In this study, a new vector form intrinsic finite element (VFIFE) for the plate is developed and applied to study the responses of a traditional plate member applied to engineering structures. The VFIFE method is a solution procedure for the mechanic problems by adopting the traditional co-rotational explicit finite element method developed by Belyschko and Hsieh (1973). Three different shape-functions including the simplest polynomial form shape-function (Poly), non-conforming area coordinate shape-function (BCIZ) and the conforming area coordinate shape-function (BCIZC) are utilized to simulate the displacement field of the plate. For a system with nonzero rigid-body displacement, the equilibrium will be difficult to achieve in the global coordinate system when the traditional finite element method is applied. By separating the rigid-body motions from the deformed motions, this problem can be easily taken care. In numerical examples, the accuracy and efficiency of this new developed vector form intrinsic finite element for plate simulation are also examined. It is found that compared to the analytical solution, the accuracy is excellent, while compared to traditional finite element method, the efficiency is also encouraging. This new VIFIFE plate element was also applied to the analysis for the sheet plate members in the harbor structures such as the sheep-pile wharf structural system. It was found that not only can the global behaviors of the pile be clearly observed but also local variations in deformations of the steel sheet are clearly shown.