In this study, welding process is analyzed by finite element method considering phase transformation induced plasticity. Residual stresses obtained in the welding analysis using continuum elements are transformed to the finite element models of structures with welded joints. Moving least square approximation is used to estimate the residual stresses of shell elements of a finite element model. Finally, we propose an efficient method to consider welding residual stresses in the finite element analysis of automotive parts with welded joints.