Grinding process is an energy intensive process in the sense that, it requires a larger amount of energy per unit of volume of material removal compared to other metal cutting processes. In this case, effects on the ground workpiece in terms of induced residual stresses and metallurgical changes due to heat generated play an important role on the lifetime of parts in their mechanism. In order to investigate effects on the workpiece during external cylindrical grinding process, a new analytical approach is firstly developed to model the action of the grinding wheel as a heat flux, which moves along the workpiece surface. The value and the shape of the heat flux entering the workpiece are directly identified. Based on the established model, numerical simulations are performed to predict temperature, cooling and its effects on residual stress distribution in the ground near surface.