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Optimization parameters for tendons

Banded tendon polylines, distributed tendon quadrilaterals, and profile polylines have optimization parameters that are used only if the optimization process is launched. See Designing and Optimizing Post-tensioning for additional information.

Profile polylines optimization options

Profile polylines have parameters that can be defined for the optimization process:

  • Optimize - used to define the profile polyline as part of the optimization.
  • Minimum Elevation - the minimum elevation value (from the specified elevation reference).
  • Maximum Elevation - the maximum elevation value (from the specified elevation reference).
  • Elevation Increment - the increment value to explore in the range between the minimum and maximum values.

Banded tendon polyline optimization options

Banded tendon polylines have parameters that can be defined for the optimization process:

  • Optimize - used to enable the optimization of the effective force or number of strands, depending upon the “Tendon Specification Type” selected on the General tab. The input values need not to be integers.
  • Minimum Effective Force / Number of Strands - the minimum effective force or number of strands. For performance-based codes with no lower limits, it may be reasonable to set the minimum to zero. Otherwise, consider setting any code prescribed minimum limit (such as minimum precompression) as a minimum value.
  • Maximum Effective Force / Number of Strands - the maximum effective force or number of strands. This value can normally be set to the maximum value that would be practical for the given code.
  • Effective Force / Number of Strands Increment - the increment value to explore in the range between the minimum and maximum values.

Distributed tendon quadrilateral optimization options

Distributed tendon quadrilaterals have parameters that can be defined for the optimization process:

  • Optimize - used to enable the optimization of the effective force or number of strands, depending upon the “Tendon Specification Type” selected on the General tab. The input values need not to be integers.
  • Minimum Effective Force / Number of Strands - the minimum effective force or number of strands per unit width. For performance-based codes with no lower limits, it may be reasonable to set the minimum to zero. Otherwise, consider setting any code prescribed minimum limit (such as minimum precompression) as a minimum value.
  • Maximum Effective Force / Number of Strands - the maximum effective force or number of strands per unit width. This value can normally be set to the maximum value that would be practical for the given code.
  • Effective Force / Number of Strands Increment - the increment value to explore in the range between the minimum and maximum values.