Modelling and Analysis of Lightning Protection System Performance in Urban High-Rise Structure

Abstract

High-rise buildings are particularly vulnerable to lightning strikes in rapidly urbanizing areas due to their height and close proximity to other structures. Reliable Lightning Protection Systems (LPS) are therefore essential for safety and infrastructure resilience. Conventional methods of assessing LPS performance often depend on physical inspections or post-event analysis, which are time-consuming, limited in scope, and sometimes hazardous. In addition, most existing computational studies simplify building geometry or neglect local environmental factors, resulting in inaccurate evaluation of LPS performance in real urban conditions. To address this gap, this study develops a detailed COMSOL-based simulation model to evaluate the behavior of LPS in high-rise structures under realistic conditions. The research models electric field distribution and current flow paths during lightning strikes, allowing detailed analysis of key LPS components such as air terminals, down conductors, and grounding systems. By simulating various strike scenarios, the study identifies critical high-risk zones and supports the optimization of protection design. The results demonstrate that the LPS effectively maintains electric field levels below the air breakdown threshold, ensuring safe dissipation of lightning energy to the ground. The study provides deeper insight into LPS performance in complex urban environments, supporting the development of more reliable and predictive protection strategies for high-rise structures.