为使拱坝优化设计在水利水电工程中得到进一步的发展和应用，简要回顾了拱坝体型优化设计的发展历史，系统地总结了拱坝的几何模型、拱圈线性、优化目标、约束条件、结构分析方面的应用现状及最新成果，并对目前拱坝体型优化设计中尚存在的困难及在工程中的应用前景进行了探讨和展望。通过优化设计可得到满足安全性和经济性的拱坝最优体型，大大提高了计算效率，节省了建设资金，具有显著的经济效益，为高拱坝建设和拱坝体型优化应用提供参考。

Optimal design of arch dam shape which meets the requirements of safety and economy can improve computation efficiency and save construction cost. To promote the application of optimal design to hydroprojects, the development history of arch dam shape optimization is briefly reviewed. The application status quo and latest achievements in the geometric model, arch ring linearity, optimization target, constraints, and structural analysis of arch dam are summarized systematically. Difficulties in the optimal design and prospect of engineering application are discussed as well.