2012 Volume 55 Issue 3 Pages 183-190
A new analytical method to calculate the electric current density between two probes in carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) is presented. Unidirectional CFRP has strongly orthotropic electric conductance. Even when electric current is applied to a CFRP plate using two probes on a single surface, the electric current density is not uniform along the cross-section. The electric current is concentrated near the surface where an electric current is applied. Although it is important to know the electric current density in the CFRP plate for the analysis of lightning effects, the density is difficult to calculate using a three-dimensional finite element model. In the present study, the orthotropic coordinate is transformed into a uniform coordinate. Laplace’s equation is solved using the potential theory for a perfect fluid. Equations solved employing an infinite-body approximation are verified with a finite element model. As a result, the new analysis method is demonstrated to be efficient for unidirectional CFRP. The limitations of the method are also discussed.
