In　dynamic　analysis　with　explicit　time　integration　schemes,　a　lumped　mass　matrix　(LMM)　is　preferable,　because　LMM　can　avoid　solving　the　large　scale　simultaneous　algebraic　equations.　Mathematically　rigorous　mass　lumping　schemes,　such　as　the　mass　lumping　by　nodal　quadrature　and　the　row-sum　technique,　are　applicable　to　only　linear　or　bilinear　elements.　For　higher-order　elements,　such　as　8-node　serendipity　elements,　the　diagonal　scaling　procedure　is　the　only　lumping　method　that　can　be　recommended　to　generate　positive　definite　diagonal　element　mass　matrices.　Unfortunately,　there　is　no　mathematical　theory　in　support　of　this　approach.　This　study　proposes　a　general　mass　lumping　scheme　applicable　to　higher　order　elements,　where　the　virtual　work　of　initial　force　is　integrated　over　the　problem　domain　that　is　viewed　as　the　manifold　covered　by　the　finite　element　patches.　By　a　series　of　numerical　experiments,　both　free　and　forced　vibration　problems,　it　is　suggested　that　even　in　the　implicit　time　integration　scheme　the　consistent　mass　matrix　(CMM)　can　be　superseded　by　the　proposed　LMM.　Furthermore,　the　proposed　LMM　has　much　stronger　adaptability　to　distorted　meshes.　(C)　2017　Elsevier　B.V.　All　rights　reserved.