AbstractA simple and efficient method for the solution of uncoupled transient thermoelastic problems using boundary integral techniques is presented. The method employs a Laplace transformation to remove temporarily the time dependence of the governing equations. Numerical analysis is then carried out in the transform space, and results in the time‐position space are found by numerical inversion of the Laplace transform. The method has the advantage that it avoids time‐stepping and the costly evaluation of domain integrals. Boundary element and analytic solutions are compared, and the effect of cooling on the stresses around a deep underground opening is exami