Abstract: Residual stress concentration at a notch depends on both notch geometry and yield strength of the material.It varies through the depth,and its magnitude may be higher than the theoretical one.Compressive residual.stress concentration at the notch of shot-peened specimen of soft material is easily to he relaxed,with the surface damage during shot-peening results in a mi- nor contribution to the fatigue limit.Compressive residual stress increases the crack closure effect at the notch and may lead to a non-propagating crack.

Key words: residual stress, stress concentration, fatigue