Probabilistic Calculations ofLightning Protection forTallBuildings

The analysis oftheprotection practices applied totall buildings byusinglightning rodsorhorizontal wireshasshowna deficiency indefining theshapeandtheextent oftheprotective zone. Thelimitations intheapplication oftheempirical protective zone defined bya conical shapebelowandarounda lightning rodhave motivated thedevelopment ofnewtechniques fortheprotection of buildings against lightning. Starting fromthetransmission line protection practice, theprotective effects ofthebasiclightning elements (vertical rodsandhorizontal wires) arestudied analytically by meansoftheelectrogeometric modeldeveloped mainlyby Whitehead; asa result, we havedeveloped a simplified shielding calculation practice, aswellasadigital computer programbasedon MonteCarlosimulation technique. Theconcept ofprotection failure riskisintroduced tocharacterize theeffectiveness oflightning protection schemes.