The two-dimensional problem for an elastic half-space with a thick layer on its top is considered with the context of the theory of generalized thermoelasticity with one relaxation time. The half-space and the thick layer are composed of different elastic materials. The surface of the upper layer is traction free and subjected to the effect of a thermal shock. Laplace and Fourier transform techniques are used. The solution in the transformed domain is obtained by a direct approach. Numerical inversion techniques are used to obtain the inverse double transform.