Today, advanced damage models taking into account residual stresses are available. In particular, microcracking as a degradation mechanism in laminates is very sensitive to manufacturing-induced stresses. However, these stresses are often introduced through a model parameter whose identification remains difficult or requires time-consuming and costly additional tests. Here, we propose a relatively simple method based on the observation of the displacement field associated with the creation of a transverse crack in a crosswise laminate. Subsequently, this displacement field can be reinterpreted according to the model being used in order to build the quantity required by the model. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.