A simplified numerical approach based on finite elements to compute thermal stresses occurring in work roll of hot rolling mills is here proposed. To decrease both the complexity of the analysis and the computational effort, this approach implements a plane finite element model of the work roll alone, loaded on its surface by the rotating thermal actions due to the cyclic sequence of the conductive heating caused by the contact with hot strip and cooling provided by water jets. Results from thermal analysis are preliminary compared to an analytical solution available in the literature and then applied as thermal input in the subsequent mechanical finite elements simulations, which provide thermal stress in the work roll and the elastic-plastic evolution of elements, close to the work roll surface