This study involved a complete evaluation of the mechanical and metallurgical properties of the base and the metal of welding for the material of the class API 5L X60. The characterization of the mechanical monotonic properties of fatigue of this steel included the evaluation of mechanical monotonic, cyclic, toughness, fatigue crack propagation potential drop and back strain deformation and microstructural evaluation. After quantifying the mechanical properties of API 5L X60 steel, residual tensions were then measured. Firstly, for the assessment of the profile of residual tensions throughout a welded joint a portable x-ray equipment was used. However, as this method presented considerable result dispersion, I opted for yet another technique for measuring residual tension, namely the Hole Drilling Method. As this technique also presented shortcomings (sigmaRES less or equal SE / 3), I suggest a numerical model that allows for the measuring of residual tensions for nominal loads which varies till the resistance of yielding. In addition, since the problems with the hole drilling technique are of great relevance, I also suggest the use of a rosette with 5 strain-gages so as not to restrict the measurement of residual tensions to a deterministic experiment.