Resistive Slab Modeling for Predicting Lightning Currents in Fastened Composite Structure

Analysis of lightning direct-effects damage to structure and the design of test specimens and test fixtures to investigate these effects requires knowledge of structural boundary currents resulting from a lightning attachment. Since no convenient method for direct measurement of structural boundary conditions was available, a model called Resistive Slab Analysis at Boundaries (RSLAB) was developed to fill this need. RSLAB utilizes the physical and electrical properties of interconnected structural slabs to compute the potential distribution and current flow at structural boundaries due to simulated lightning current injected into the structure. The analysis results are validated by measurements on a fastened composite wingbox.