Earthwork calculation and optimization with softwares

Earthwork is quit important to general layout.Earthwork softwares have been widely used in nowadays.This paper introduces some useful earthwork softwares,which are suited for power plant general layout,such as GLCAD,HY-FPS,Civil 3Dand so on.These softwares mostly are applied to different earthwork calculation methods.They are grid method,cross-section method,contour line method and DTM method.These methods have their own characteristics,some could calculate earth-work quickly and conveniently,others are accurately and carefully.And then the paper introduces the earthwork calculation and optimization operating procedures with these different softwares,and how to use them in practical engineering.Finally,their respective characteristics and applicabilities in projects are summarized.So then general layout engineers will use these softwares to calculate earthwork more conveniently and accurately.