Lightning Strike Simulation in Composite Structures

Abstract

Lighting strike is one of the critical threats to the safety of composite aircrafts during flight. This work reports on numerical simulation of lightning strike in composite structures. Different modelling techniques using the commercial software ABAQUS, together with damage models are studied to find the most appropriate one in comparison to experimental results. Once the numerical model is validated, the effect of insertion of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and metallic mesh in the composite is investigated. It is concluded that inserting CNTs in the top layer of the composite can improve its lightning strike protection noticeably.

Electromagnetic Field Targeting Enhancement for Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers Induction Welding Application

“…In this paper, the modeling of a static welding of a stringer on an aircraft fuselage skin with the presence of a Lightning Strike Protection (LSP) by electromagnetic induction is considered. The LSP is a thin layer of copper covering the aircraft fuselage to ensure protection against lightning [1]. At our working frequencies ( 100 − 500 𝑘𝐻𝑧 ), the LSP is heated more strongly than the stringer-skin interface and may generate an overheating of the structure during the welding phase which can cause irreversible destruction.…”

Lightning Performance of Copper-Mesh Clad Composite Panels: Test and Simulation

“…Dhanya and Sekher [40] studied the effects of copper mesh thickness and hole area percentage on the lightning protection of CFRP structures, and an optimal parameter distribution was given. Espejel and Khodaei [41] studied the influence of nanofillers in composite materials on the lightning strike resistance in comparison to the traditional methods. It is concluded that inserting CNTs in the top layer of the composite can improve its lightning strike protection noticeably [41].…”

“…Espejel and Khodaei [41] studied the influence of nanofillers in composite materials on the lightning strike resistance in comparison to the traditional methods. It is concluded that inserting CNTs in the top layer of the composite can improve its lightning strike protection noticeably [41].…”