Numerical analysis of the charge distribution on building structure in the preliminary breakdown phase of lightning

This paper presented a numerical procedure for determining the charge distribution on building structure in the preliminary breakdown phase of lightning, which is essential in the study of lightning development patterns, striking positions and the transient electromagnetic environment inside buildings. In this paper an electrostatic model for the thundercloud, stepped leader, building structure and ground surface was built first. The average potential method was then developed to solve the integral equations of electric potential and charge density. Finally, simulation results of the charge distribution on a high-rise building as well as on the ground surface are presented.