Elasto-plastic　finite　element　analysis　was　carried　Out　for　single　spot　tensile　shear　spot　welds　with　software　ANSYS.　According　to　the　relationship　between　micro-hardness　and　strength,　cyclic　material　constants　of　different　zones　in　the　periphery　of　spot　welds　were　determined　in　accordance　with　hardness　distribution,　as　well　as　base　material　fatigue　parameters.　Using　the　local　stress　and　strain　obtained　from　finite　element　analysis,　fatigue　lives　of　spot　welds　were　predicted　with　Morrow＇s　modified　Manson-Coffin　equation　and　Smith-Watson-Topper　damage　equation.　Life　prediction　results　showed　that　both　equations　gave　good　agreement　with　experimental　data　within　low-cycle　fatigue　life　regime.　(C)　2008　Elsevier　Ltd.　All　rights　reserved.