An incremental formula is derived from integral form of endochronic plastic constitutive equation, which greatly reduces the error caused by the one which was directly obtained from differential form of the constitutive equation. An elastoplastic matrix is then proposed, based on which a stiffness finite element approach is developed. The analysis of the residual stress at the inner skin of an autofrettaged thick-walled cylinder agrees well with the experimental result. The calculated stress-strain fields of a double - edge - notched plate subjected to cyclic zero-to-tension loading are also quite reasonable. The numerical process is steady and quickly convergent, and the developed approach can easily be applied to practical engineering analysis.