Lightning-induced magnetic fields in a building with large metallic plates

This paper evaluated lightning-induced magnetic fields in a building with large metallic plates using an equivalent circuit method. In the evaluation the metallic structure of a building during a lightning stroke was represented by an equivalent electrical network. Electrical network equations were built to find the current distribution in the structural elements, and subsequently the lightning-induced magnetic fields around the building. Special techniques were presented in the paper to model the large metallic plates and to derive equivalent circuit equations and circuit parameters. The coupling of metallic plates to building structural elements was also addressed. The proposed method was validated experimentally on a scaled structure model in the laboratory. Finally, lightning-induced magnetic fields in a laboratory building were characterized. It was found that the metallic plates changed the current distribution significantly within the metallic structure, and subsequently the lightning-induced magnetic fields in the building.