Boeing

Lightning Strike Effects on Full Depth Scarf Repairs

Full depth scarf repairs on composite structure introduce a slightly different stack up that might alter the Electro Magnetic Effects (EME) from the original design. Predicting the outcome of a lightning strike attachment to a scarf repair will be helpful to understanding if the repair patch will resist the lightning strike energy from penetrating the thickness of the repair patch. This student team sought to characterize the performance of scarf repairs subjected to lightning strikes of significant intensity (100-200 kA). This student team worked to install scarf repairs on a representative fuselage panel and evaluate various protection schemes/shields installed on the inside/inner mold line (IML) of those panels for effectiveness. Outcomes this student team worked towards included: 1. Test results of lightning strike effects on scarf repair areas. Evaluation of mitigating protection schemes. 2. Publish conclusions and recommendations of testing.