Numerical Analysis for Lightning Damage of CFRP Based on its Dynamic Electrical Conductivity

The damage behavior of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites subjected to lightning component A (20–100 kA) was studied based on the analysis of the dynamic conductive properties of CFRPs. The dynamic conductivities were introduced into the coupled multifield model for CFRP lightning damage simulation for the first time. The simulated damage results were obtained from the numerical models which established based on different conductivities. The rationality of these simulation models was analyzed. The comparison between experiment and simulation results showed that the dynamic conductivity simulation model can more realistically simulate the conductive state of CFRPs subjected to actual lightning impulse. The dynamic conductivity model can reduce the deviation of damage areas and depths between the calculation and experiment from + 304% and −39.2% (in DC conductivity simulation model) to −4.9% and + 2.9%, respectively. Lightning damage area increased as the in-plane and in-thickness conductivities decreased. The anisotropic distribution of the damaged area was also affected by the ratio of the longitudinal and transverse conductivities. The lightning damage depth had the non-monotonic variation characteristics that increased first and then decreased as the in-thickness conductivity decreased.