One of the main tasks in the calculation of reinforced concrete elements is the determination of strength. This problem is relevant for structures in various stress-strain states - bending, eccentrically-compressed, eccentrically-stretched, eccentrically-compressed with torsion, etc. This article discusses the solution of the strength problem in the design of an eccentrically compressed reinforced concrete element of rectangular cross section with symmetrical reinforcement. The improvement relates to taking into account the infl uence of structural parameters of the quality of reinforcement and concrete on the value of the design loads and the ultimate tensile strength of an eccentrically compressed reinforced concrete element, taking into account its deflection. By simplifying the mathematical description of the influence of structural indicators and quality parameters of reinforcement and concrete on the calculated value of the bending moment and on the strength of an eccentrically compressed reinforced concrete element, as well as simplifying the calculation of the coefficient of increase in the initial eccentricity of the longitudinal force taking into account the deflection of the compressed reinforced concrete element, this improvement is obtained. Using the proposed formulas in calculating the strength of an eccentrically compressed reinforced concrete element of rectangular cross section allows us to ensure the convergence of the result with the classical version of the calculation with a reduction in labor costs due to the simplicity of the formulas.