Structural　optimization　has　become　an　important　tool　for　structural　designers.　It　helps　them　to　find　innovative　design　solutions　and　structural　forms　with　a　better　exploitation　of　materials　as　well　as　decreased　structures＇　self-weight　and　minimum　material　costs.　In　this　article,　the　Calatrava　Bridge　over　the　Grand　Canal　of　Venice　is　used　as　a　prototype.　Several　tentative　starting　models　are　identified　by　considering　bridge＇s　abutment　deformability　through　spring-damper　elements　and　introducing　prestressing　stiffening　cables　along　two　bottom　arches　of　the　bridge.　Afterwards　members＇　thickness　optimization　is　carried　out　and　the　results　are　compared　in　terms　of　weight　reduction　and　horizontal　force　level.　The　results　evidence　that　thought　the　use　of　structural　optimization,　more　reasonable　thickness　distribution　of　steel　members　can　be　obtained,　while　reducing　remarkably　both　the　self-weight　and　the　horizontal　forces　of　this　bridge　against　the　abutment.　©　2014　Taylor　&　Francis　Group.