The Story - Optimize tab is the second investigation tab. From here, you can investigate the different shapes that were selected in Criteria - Trial Groups or assigned using the Assign - Trial Groups command.

When this tab is selected, the shape and yield strength value on the tab reflects the selected story.

The yield strength value can be changed by typing a new value in the edit box.

The Shape combo box controls which shape will be considered during optimization. For Standard Column, the combo box will contain the three relevant shapes while for Hanging Columns, all nine shapes will be available for selection.

When a change is made to the tab, the Optimize button becomes available and the View Results and Select buttons gray out.

Click the Optimize button to initiate the optimization process. The results of the optimization will be displayed in the table below.

Clicking on a specific size will cause its interaction equation to be shown below the grid. It also makes the View Results and Select buttons active.

Clicking the View Results button displays the Column Design report for the size and yield strength chosen for investigation.

Clicking the Select button transfers the current size and yield strength to the "Final Design" section of the table. An analysis of the entire column line is then run to update the weight and interaction equation values for all columns. If any design warning occur during this analysis, they will be listed in the Design Warning list box.