Abstract: Two kinds of finite element software MIDAS-Gen and ANSYS are used to calculate the structure of a circular coal yard. Full-field coal-piling load, half-field coal-piling load, whole heating load and temperature gradient load are selected. Through the analysis of the calculation results, the following conclusions are drawn:the results of the two software simulation are basically the same; the effect of temperature on the retaining wall is remarkable; the beam and slab element simulation is deficient, possibly because of its smaller stiffness; the top ring beam can form the hoop effect; under the condition of half-field coal-piling, the retaining wall at the boundary between coal-piling and non-coal-piling is severely deformed. The above conclusions can provide a basis for engineering design.