Abstract
In this article, a general finite element method (FEM) is proposed to analyze transient phenomena in a thermoelastic model in the context of the theory of generalized thermoelasticity with one relaxation time. The exact solution of the nonlinear model of the thermal shock problem of a generalized thermoelastic half-space of temperature-dependent materials exists only for very special and simple initial- and boundary problems. In view of calculating general problems, a numerical solution technique is to be used. For this reason, the FEM is chosen. The results for the temperature increment, the stress components, and the displacement component are illustrated graphically with some comparisons.