Investigation of Lightning Indirect Effects on a Full Carbon Fiber Composite Mock-up

In the frame of the European project CATE (Composite and Advanced Aircraft Technologies Electromagnetic Protection), a full CFC mock-up has been designed and manufactured. Both measurements and computations have been carried out to investigate and to assess the coupling mechanisms throughout CFC structures. Different aspects have been covered: effects of apertures, effects of metallic devices, effects of protection on cables, … The understanding of the physical phenomena involved enables the formulation of general rules of protection which can be applied on very large aircraft at lower cost.