Finalist EPFL doctorate Award 2008 - Davide Pavanello
© 2008 EPFL
Davide Pavanello's scientific work is (according to the opinion of the jury) ranking among the best 3 % PhD theses awarded by EPFL in 2007. Thesis EPFL, no 3713 (2007). Dir.: Farhad Rachidi.
Electromagnetic radiation from lightning return strokes to tall structures
The study of the interaction of lightning electromagnetic fields with electrical systems and the design of appropriate protection strategies are generally based on statistical distributions of the lightning current measured at the channel base using either instrumented towers or artificial initiation of lightning using rockets. Recent studies based both on numerical modeling and experimental observations have shown that the presence of the structure struck by (or used to initiate) lightning does affect the current measurement in a way depending upon the geometry of the structure itself, compromising therefore the reliability of the statistics adopted so far for lightning data. The aim of this thesis is to provide new elements (from both theoretical and experimental investigations) to improve the understanding of the electromagnetic consequences of the impact of lightning return strokes to tall structures.