On　the　basis　of　FEM　analysis,　the　variation　of　natural　frequency　during　crack　propagation　process　was　investigated　for　single-spot　and　double-spots　tensile-shear　spot-welded　specimens.　The　crack　area　was　used　to　define　the　fatigue　damage,　with　which　established　the　relationship　between　damage　area　and　natural　frequency　ratio.　The　residual　fatigue　life　of　specimen　undergone　a　certain　fatigue　damage　was　predicted　by　means　of　the　damage　evolution　principle　of　damage　mechanics.　The　results　showed　that　the　proposed　damage　parameter　can　describe　the　fatigue　process　for　spot-welded　joints.　(c)　2007　Published　by　Elsevier　Ltd.