A theoretical model has been developed to explain the variation of surface residual stress introduced by shot-peening with external plastic deformation, during a uniaxial tensile test. The model is based on the difference of yield stress values of the shot-peened surface layer and the remaining bulk material. It has been shown that the model fits well with experimental results obtained for the base metal and heat-affected zone of a 5.0Cr-0.5Mo steel.