This paper presents a inverse method to derive the material properties from the resonance frequencies of a free-edge test specimen based on modal vibration test. A mixed numerical experimental identification procedure is used for this purpose. Finite element models of the test plate is simultaneously updating and reproduces the updating frequencies, then optimal procedure is running. The sum of the squared differences between the experimental and the finite element method numerical resonance frquencies is the objective function. To seek practical solutions, here presents a global optimization method--simulated annealing method for the determination of the elastic properties. The inverse method is applied to determine the elastic constants of aluminum , carbon/epoxy , Glass/PP composite material and double coated steel plate. The results indicate that the method can obtain very accurate elastic constants for aluminum , Glass/PP , carbon/epoxy composite material ,but for double coated steel plate , if the individual layer of the three different layers is as isotroptic material having six elastic constants , the method can obtain very accurate results , but if it is as transversely isotropic material having twelve elastic constants, the evaluating elastic constants are bad.