Abstract: Objective The aim is to study the influence of welding sequence on structural deformation during intermittent welding between high-speed train outer panel and framework. Methods A finite element model for T-joint welding is established based on ANSYS software. Thermal-mechanical coupling calculation is performed, and the single-side intermittent welding process of T-joints of 5083-O aluminum alloy with 4 mm-thick is numerically simulated. The reliability of the model is verified by comparing the weld morphologies and post-weld deformation of test samples and the simulation results. Using this finite element model, stress field simulations are conducted under 8 different welding sequences to analyze the effect of welding sequence on welding deformation. Results The results show that welding sequence has an impact on intermittent welding deformation, the welding sequence between segments has a relatively small influence on welding deformation, while the welding direction of each segment has a more significant effect on welding deformation, with opposite regulation of influence on the welded side and the unwelded side. Conclusion Finally, by calculating and analyzing the arithmetic mean and root mean square value of displacements of all nodes on the bottom surface of the flange plate in each scheme, two optimal schemes are selected, which adopt a welding sequence where the first segment weld is in the opposite direction to the subsequent welds.