A Simplified Model for the Determination of Initial Attachment Zones Via Electric Field Modeling - Parameter Studies and Comparisons

A few years ago, a simplified model has been proposed for the determination of lightning initial attachment zones via electric field modeling. This model is based on a simple space-charge criterion for the streamer-leader transition that allows to determine the critical electric field strength for discharge initiation for a given ambient field direction and to derive the extension of the initial attachment zone.

Within the framework of the EC-supported research program FULMEN this model was tested on a generic helicopter and aircraft geometry and the dependence of the zone extensions on the different parameters of the model was investigated. The results of this work indicate that the simplified model can serve as a means to roughly estimate the extension of the initial attachment zones. Comparison with a more rigorous physical model developed by ONERA has identified a set of parameter values each for entry and exit points, that give excellent agreement making it a tool to study different configurations in a very efficient manner.