The program selects all members based on an optimization technique. This method performs 2 analyses as well as iteration of sizes to reduce the overall structure weight. This command should be used with caution since it will require longer processing time.

The section selected will be of the same type section as originally designated for the member being designed. A wide flange will be selected to replace a wide flange, etc. Several parameters are available to guide this selection. If the PROFILE parameter is provided, the search for the lightest section is restricted to that profile. Up to three (3) profiles may be provided for any member with a section being selected from each one. Member selection can also be constrained by the parameters DMAX and DMIN which limit the maximum and minimum depth of the members. If the PROFILE parameter is provided for specified members, DMAX or DMIN parameters will be ignored by the program in selecting these members.

Member selection can be performed with all the types of steel sections listed in D1.A.4 Built-in Steel Section Library. Note that for beams with cover plates, the sizes of the cover plate are kept constant while the beam section is iterated.

Selection of members, whose properties are originally input from a user created table, will be limited to sections in that table.

Member selection cannot be performed on members whose section properties are input as prismatic.

SELECT OPTIMIZED

Notes

1. The output of this command may be controlled using the TRACK parameter. Various codes support various levels of details. Refer to the appropriate section of the documentation, as explained in the table in TR.48.1 Parameter Specifications for more information on the TRACK parameter.

2. This command will perform one additional analysis and design cycle and therefore may be time consuming. Steps taken are: CHECK CODE ALL; then modify ratios; then SELECT ALL; then PERFORM ANALYSIS; then SELECT ALL. See TR.50 Group Specification for other options used with this command. You may want to repeat this command for further optimization.  

3. This command does not cause the program to re-analyze for results based on the selected member sizes. However, to maintain compatibility of analysis results with the final member sizes, you should enter a subsequent PERFORM ANALYSIS command. Otherwise the post processor will display the prior results with the revised member sizes.