Abstract: In order to know the distribution of welding residual stresses in welded structures, the nondestructive test method based on counter magnetostrictive effect and the magnetic measurer were used to measure the welding residual stresses in different depths of the T-shape welding specimen.The residual stress distribution in 3 layers (1mm, 1.5 mm and 2 mm from the welding surface)of the weldment was obtained and compared with those from the numeral simulation by the finite element method.The results show that the transverse and longitudinal residual stresses in the area near the weld are comparatively large and vary from compression to tension as the depth increasing, while the longitudinal residual stresses vary from tension to compression in the area apart from the weld.