A model to determine Stress Intensity Factors (SIFs) and simulate the fatigue crack growth in stiffened structures taking into consideration residual stresses is presented in this paper. The stress field required to estimate the SIF was calculated using the Finite Element Method (FEM) considering the residual stress as an initial condition. The residual stress field redistribution as a function of crack growth is taken into account using the Abaqus software. Specimens without and with residual stresses, resulting from different welding techniques, were considered for the present study. The residual stress fields can significantly deteriorate or improve the fatigue life of the structure, depending upon the location of the initial crack; consequently these effects should be analyzed and modelled in order to better understand the consequences of the application of the considered manufacturing processes.