> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.enercalc.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.enercalc.com/e3d-training-manual/design/steel-design/design-criteria/section-pool.md).

# Steel Section Pool

How to build a pool of preferred steel sections and restrict the design routine to selecting from it.

Click **Steel Design > Steel Design Criteria > Steel Section Pool** to open the *Steel Section Pool* dialog.

![](https://3750289988-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FlRZtG5Ynp58kYzLHYbR7%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-6ffabf9c70eb4bb61b91e3fe7e3f30256b1f60f3%2FSteel%20section%20pool%20dialog.jpg?alt=media)

This dialog offers a way to create a list of preferred sections. There is also an option to ONLY select sections from the Steel Section Pool during a design.

{% hint style="success" %}
Tip: The Steel Section Pool can be populated with preferred sections, but it will have no effect unless the option is selected to ONLY select sections from the Steel Section Pool during a design.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="success" %}
Tip: If a Steel Section Pool is used, be sure that it includes some sections from the family indicated in the Section Prefix column of the Steel Member Design Criteria table, or else the optimization routine will not be able to select any qualifying members.
{% endhint %}


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