Experimental and numerical evaluation of surge current distribution in buildings during a direct lightning stroke

摘要

This paper reports an experimental and numerical investigation into the surge current distribution in a reinforced concrete structure during a lightning stroke. An analytical method, which is based on a circuit approach, is described. The steel structure is modeled by a series of coupled π-type circuits. The capacitance in the circuits is calculated by the means of average potential method, while the inductance is evaluated by the Neumann's formula. The effect of the earth (ground) is taken into consideration by the method of images. The analytical method was demonstrated and validated on three models of steel structures, and can be applied to estimate current distribution in the lightning protection system of a building.