This work used the crack compliance method for the determination of residual stresses in beams subjected to prior straining before the introduction of residual stresses through bending. The paper also introduces a support system that allows free movement of specimens during cutting by electric discharge machining. The experimental testing and verification procedure considered factors such as different materials and strain hardening levels. The results obtained provide a quantitative demonstration of the effect of prior strain hardening on residual stress distribution in beams.