Abstract: This paper is concerned with the nonlinear static reverse analysis of long-span cable-stayed bridges during construction. The bending strain energy of cable-stayed bridge is chosen as the objective function, and an iterative-incremental procedure which considers the cable sag effect, beam-column effect and large displacement effect is described to solve the nonlinear system equation and calculate the initial cable forces of a cable-stayed bridge. The influence of concrete creep and shrinkage is considered and the initial shape of cable-stayed bridge is chosen as the first step. The results of nonlinear reverse analysis are used as the cable forces of cable-stayed bridge during construction, that is, the optimal results of the cable-stayed bridge during construction.