The problem of residual stresses in a structural member may play an important role in determining the oyerall actual stress distribution. A theoretical and experimental investigation of residual stresses in a plate subjected to combined tensile and bending stresses are carried out in this paper. The basic concept adopted in the investigation is to apply known stresses on the loaded plate and then release a certian value of these stresses by making two single edge cracks. Known stresses are considered as residual stresses. The released strain on the relieved portion was measured using strain gages. A comparison between the results obtained using two single edge cracks method and two double edge cracks method is presented for the case of a plate under tension. A good agreement between theoretical and experimental results is obtained for the plate subjected to combined load.