Lightning Strike Response Of Composite Structures: A Review

Wind turbines and aircraft are generally made of less conductive carbon/glass composites. Significant damages may occur to these materials if they are struck by high energy lightning strikes. Damage and structural response of composites is essentially a multiphysics domain, involving thermal, electrical, magnetic and structural analysis. In this article, the fundamental physics of lightning, multiphysics analysis, numerical implementation and experimental studies about composite materials are reviewed. The relevant international standards and possible characterization methods of lightning strike damage are also reproduced in this article. In addition to this, the current and prospective technologies, to protect composite from lightning strikes are also provided.