Abstract: By finite element method (FEM), the distribution of welding residual stress field in the plate structure was investigated under the condition of local loading, and compared the results of reducing stress between tension in process of welding and after welding.It is found that under the condition of local loading, tension in welding process can decrease the residual stress more significantly than that after welding.When the local loading was lower than the yield strength of the material, the decrease of residual stress become more prominence as the local loading increasing.When 200 MPa loading was applied, the maximum tension residual stresses decreases to 130 MPa after welding and to 50 MPa during welding.These results indicate that the decrease of welding residual stress by local loading is feasible.