  Methods for discretizing port-Hamiltonian systems are of interest both for
simulation and control purposes. Despite the large literature on mixed finite
elements, no rigorous analysis of the connections between mixed elements and
port-Hamiltonian systems has been carried out. In this paper we demonstrate how
existing methods can be employed to discretize dynamical plate problems in a
structure-preserving way. Based on convergence results of existing schemes, new
error estimates are conjectured; numerical simulations confirm the expected
behaviors.
