On the Criteria > Beam Design - Reinforcement tab the user can specify the bar sizes to be used for selection of longitudinal reinforcement and transverse reinforcement. Only the reinforcement bar sizes that have check marks next to them will be used in the optimizing of reinforcement. Reducing the number of bars that are considered for optimization will increase the speed of the design.

This is also where the user can overwrite the default code specified parameters for:

• Max/Min clear bar spacing for shear and flexure bars. This is the center to center spacing of the bars.
• Top, Bottom and Side bar clear cover. This is the clear cover on the bars from face of slab to outside surface of the reinforcement.
• Max/Min Longitudinal reinforcement ratio for flexure only. This is the minimum flexure reinforcement ratio.

In all cases, if the Code option is selected, the program will calculate the appropriate code specified value. If the Use option is selected, the provided value will be used as long as it is within the code specified limits (when applicable). If the user-specified values are not within the code limits, the code limits will be used.

Additionally, on the Reinforcement Tab, the user can select whether or not to allow 2 layers of bars and can specify the distance from cover to the center of bars (for either 1 layer or 2 layers of bars) for top and bottom bars. These values are specified separately for gravity and lateral beams.