A new robust method, called MARS (modulus adjustment and redistribution of stress), based on linear elastic finite element analyses has been proposed to evaluate inelastic strains in anisotropic bodies. The linearity of relaxation locus forms the basis of the method. A combination of modulus adjustment scheme and iterative strategy used in the MARS method satisfies the equilibrium and yield conditions, which in turn brings the static and kinematic distributions close to the actual distributions for a given load. Several notched bodies made of anisotropic material are analyzed using the MARS method and the inelastic strains evaluated are found to be in good agreement with those predicted using elastic-plastic finite element analysis. © 1999 by ASME.