This paper proposes a second-order scheme of precision integration for dynamic analysis with respect to long-term integration. Rather than transforming into first-order equations, a recursive scheme is presented in detail for direct solution of the homogeneous part of second-order algebraic and differential equations. The sine and cosine matrices involved in the scheme are calculated using the so-called 2(N) algorithm. Numerical tests show that both the efficiency and the accuracy of homogeneous equations can be improved considerably with the second-order scheme. The corresponding particular solution is also presented, incorporated with the second-order scheme where the excitation vector is approximated by the truncated Taylor series. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.