A　fatigue　prediction　approach　is　proposed　using　fracture　mechanics　for　laser　beam　welded　Al-alloy　joints　under　stationary　variable　amplitude　loading.　The　proposed　approach　was　based　on　the　constant　crack　open　stress　intensity　factor　in　each　loading　block　for　stationary　variable　amplitude　loading.　The　influence　of　welding　residual　stress　on　fatigue　life　under　stationary　variable　amplitude　was　taken　into　account　by　the　change　of　crack　open　stress　intensity　factor　in　each　loading　block.　The　residual　stress　relaxation　coefficient　beta　=　0.5　was　proposed　to　consider　the　residual　stress　relaxation　for　the　laser　beam　welded　Al-alloy　joints　during　the　fatigue　crack　growth　process.　Fatigue　life　prediction　results　showed　that　a　very　good　agreement　between　experimental　and　estimated　results　was　obtained.　(C)　2014　Elsevier　Ltd.　All　rights　reserved.