Application of the notch stress concept to the real geometry of weld end points The process used to manufacture modern weld structures often lead to weld start and end points. Under cyclic loading, crack initiation occurs predominantly at the weld start. In particular, for special investigations into thin sheet structures, no approach for the determination of the fatigue life has been established thus far. Therefore, in this research, we have attempted to find a general approach for the assessment of weld ends using the notch stress concept.The primary aim was to obtain the real geometry of weld ends with high precision using a three dimensional scanner. We were able to find an idealised weld end model with the mean toe radius of r = 0,2 mm that provides almost the same notch stresses like the real geometry. The applied load cases were longitudinal and transverse tension as well as bending. The crack always occurs at the weld toe. The notch stress S-N-curve was derived from the fatigue life of the cyclic testing so that the assessment of weld ends is possible for the first time. Moreover, some conversion rules have been developed so that the idealised weld end geometry can be modelled with an arbitrary toe radius. Going one step further, some analyses have been performed regarding to unify the notch stress concept. The existing results of Olivier -who examined long welds with no start and end points -were re-evaluated to unify the results of long regular welds with the local weld end under one scatter band. Using the scanned geometry a good agreement could be achieved. The use of an idealised model will be validated soon.