Modelling prestress restoration of buildings by general purpose structural analysis and optimization software, the optimization module of MSC/NASTRANModelling prestress restoration of buildings by general purpose structural analysis and optimization software, the optimization module of MSC/NASTRAN Peer-Reviewed Journal Publication Δημοσίευση σε Περιοδικό με Κριτές 2015-10-111997enGeneral purpose structural analysis and optimization techniques within the MSC/NASTRAN software are used in this paper for the analysis of optimal prestress restoration of buildings. To alleviate admissible stress violations a minimum prestress reinforcement is sought along with the position of the prestressed elements. Prestressing is modelled by fictitious thermal loading on the linear (rod) elements which model the prestressing cables (tendons). A quadratic cost function for the prestressing cost with a penalty term that counts for stress violations is assumed for the optimal prestressing problem. Certain aspects of the computer implementation, including the use of mathematical programming and structural optimization tools for large-scale structures, are included. The theory is illustrated by numerical examples concerning the prestress restoration of a masonry wall subjected to static loading.http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Computers and Structures16281-92 Stavroulakis Georgios Σταυρουλακης Γεωργιος Stavroulaki Maria Σταυρουλακη Μαρια Leftheris, B Elsevier Applied mechanics Engineering, Mechanical mechanics applied applied mechanics engineering mechanical