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The paper presents methods and solutions of the optimizing design of the truss and beam structures subjected to the cumulative fatigue damage. Two basic approaches used in the optimization of mechanical systems are presented in the paper - the so-called direct search methods and the gradient methods. A short comparative and gradient approach was made. The aim was to minimize the weight of the truss or beam structure with restrictions affecting the prescribed fatigue life. The computational model assumed only quasi-static loading with different number of cycles.