Before an optimization can begin, the tendon parameter objects (banded tendon polylines and distributed tendon quadrilaterals) must be arranged in a logical fashion. This step essentially is no different than if the model was going to be designed by hand. Banded tendons are normally aligned with the long axis of the building, unless the columns align better in the orthogonal direction. A couple of helpful strategies can be employed during this stage:

• Single tendon objects can be defined over large slabs, with the idea that the preprocessing will later automatically split them at the optimization region boundaries.
• For end spans that are approximately the same length or larger than interior spans, added tendons will often be necessary in these bays. The optimizer can calculate the quantity automatically, but the banded tendon polylines need to be split at the end span and additional overlapping distributed tendon quadrilaterals drawn in the end spans.
• Eliminating profile polylines that you do not need is a good idea as it can reduce the number of optimizable objects.
• It is also possible to group profile polylines such that adjacent bays with identical spans get the same profile. This may be desirable from the standpoint of the final design; however, caution should be exercised when doing this as sometimes this can prevent the optimizer from arriving at the best solution.
• You can use the Adjust Profile Polylines tool ( also found at Tools > Profile Polyline Tool) on the Tendon Parameters Layer to help manipulate automatically generated tendons to prepare them for optimization. This tool can automatically extend profile polylines to the slab edge, trim profile polylines to the slab edge, delete short polylines, and connect nearby endpoints for polylines with like properties (which merges them into a single polyline).
• In general, draw the distributed tendon quadrilaterals to be smaller than the optimization regions. This helps ensure that the splitting results in quadrilateral objects. One way to achieve this is to draw them just large enough to cover the slab, and later draw the optimization regions to extend outside the slab. This helps ensure that the splitting results in quadrilateral objects.
• The high point (support polyline) elevations should normally be set to the highest possible elevation while respecting the required concrete top cover. The low point (span polyline) elevations can be adjusted to achieve the desired balanced load.