Lightning and Lightning Protection
Lightning strikes to unprotected structures can lead to disastrous consequences due to loss of life and damage or destruction of property. The multidisciplinary work on this research area focuses on the study of fundamental physical aspects on lightning flashes and the usage of this knowledge to mitigate the effects of the high currents and electromagnetic fields generated during lightning strikes to structures.
Picture Courtesy :Marcelo Saba
The research work in lightning and lightning protection has a two-fold objective. To contribute to the understanding of fundamental physical aspects of electrical discharges in lightning storms and to improve the current engineering practice on lightning protection. Courses on electrical discharges and lightning protection at graduate levels are offered. The work is performed in close cooperation with research groups in Austria and Brazil where lightning strikes to grounded structures are studied experimentally. Within this research area, help on questions related to lightning protection is offered to industry