Applying object-oriented programming to researching finite element method is a beneficial effort and creativity development. By comparing the conventional procedural programming and object-oriented programming

the advantages of combining the FEM program and object-oriented programming method are discussed; and the progress of object-oriented programming at home and abroad is reviewed. Based on a description of the major characters of object-oriented programming

a 3D brittle-plastic finite element analysis class library is constructed. By combining VC++ with Matlab

a geotechnical FEM software based on Windows98/2000/NT is designed to deal with 3D brittle-plastic problems. The successful application to the stability analysis of an underground excavation of a certain hydropower project proves the validity and practicability of this object-oriented program

which can be of beneficial reference to analogous projects.