Abstract
The waveforms of laser-generated ultrasound are calculated for aluminum by using the finite element model, by taking into account the temperature dependence of the thermo-physical parameters of the material. The transient temperature field and the laser-generated bulk waves are precisely simulated by using the finite element method, at different detecting distance from the excited source for different duration of laser source. The results show that selection of the size of mesh in the finite element model is a key, and the finite element method is efficient not only for the sample loaded the force distribution, but also for the thermo-structural couple field.