Prediction and control of the thermal distortion is particularly important for the design and manufacture of welded thin metal structure. In this study, numerical computations are performed to analyze effect of structure section shape and weld line location on distortion. In addition, this study aims to develop a thermal elasto-plastic simulation using finite element method to predict distortion, with particular emphasis on bending deformation generated in outline welding of a thin box structure. From the numerical analysis, it was revealed that the section shape and weld line location play an important role on the welding distortion. Among 3 types of section shape design proposed in this study, the least deformation remained in the two path welded structure.