SUMMARY The paper presents methods for obtaining the optimum sec­ tion property distributions, for indeterminate frames and beams, directly from the design conditions. An optimum sec­ tion property distribution is assumed to be one which results in constant extreme fiber strains, where the tension strain is not necessarily assumed to be equal to the compression strain. As a consequence of the constant bending strains, the change in geometry, due to a given strain, is determined when the inflec­ tion points are located. With the inner and outer frame contours assumed to be known, a method is presented for determining the optimum inflection point locations, and consequently the section property distribu­ tion, for a frame (either symmetrical or unsymmetrical ) loaded either symmetrically or unsymmetrically; and also, a method is presented for determining the inflection point locations, which result in optimum design, for a symmetrical frame loaded sym­ metrically by any known or unknown system of loads which yields exactly four inflection points. With the above qualifica­ tions, the optimum inflection point locations are shown to be in­ dependent of the loading condition. In general, the solution is achieved by an iteration process, but a direct solution is pre­ sented for certain beam problems.