Abstract
An innovative method of effective composite mechanical properties estimation is applied to optimize the distribution of reinforcement in a functionally graded structural element. The concept is based on the assumption of the mechanical equivalence between two configurations: The real heterogeneous composite configuration and the fictitious quasi-homogeneous one. It allows to obtain the analytical formulae describing the dependence of the effective elastic composite properties on the volume fraction of reinforcing inclusions. As an example of application, a circular bar subjected to torsion is considered.