LIGHTNING PROTECTION OF TALL MODERN BUILDINGS WITH GLASS FAÇADE

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate effectiveness of the Lightning protection system (LPS) of tall buildings with glass façade architecture. In fact, this work includes the effect of material and structure in conducting lightning current to the earthing grid. Furthermore, a thermal study is performed to evaluate the heating process initiated by lightning strikes on tall buildings with glass façade. The study is evaluated by solving the Maxwell and heat transfer partial differential equations. The computational and simulation work has been carried out with help of COMSOL as a Finite Element Analysis “FEA” software. The results shows the effectiveness of copper and copper alloys against aluminium as material used in LPS in terms of the amount of lightning current carried as well as the heat dissipation capability. As a further research are, multi-physics study and simulation is needed in order to evaluate the capability of each material in performing a LPS taking into account (Mechanical stress, corrosion, building vibration, …)