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RESEARCH PRODUCT

A Methodology for Protection of Trees Against Lightning Strikes as a Measure to Prevent Fires and Loss of Human Life

Enrico PonsGaetano ZizzoMassimo Mitolo

subject

collection areaHuman lifeflash densityFiresLightningIndustrial and Manufacturing Engineeringwood resistivityElectrical and Electronic EngineeringLightning protectionMoistureform factorConductivityVegetationbusiness.industryGlobal warmingEnvironmental resource managementtreesVegetationwood densityProtection systemcollection area; Conductivity; Fires; flash density; form factor; lightning; Lightning; Lightning protection; Moisture; resistivity; Temperature dependence; trees; Vegetation; wood density; wood resistivityLightningSettore ING-IND/33 - Sistemi Elettrici Per L'EnergiaresistivityCollection area Conductivity Fires flash density form factor lightning Lightning protection Moisture resistivity Temperature dependence trees Vegetation wood density wood resistivityTree (data structure)Lightning strikeTemperature dependenceControl and Systems EngineeringEnvironmental sciencebusiness

description

Some regions may be characterized by a very low annual lightning ground flash density, and yet lightning strikes seem to have been in those areas the cause of widespread wildfires in forested areas. Due to global climate change, these occurrences seem to be an increasing threat. In this paper, the authors discuss the withstand capability of trees against lightning and introduce the criteria for the deployment of tree lightning protection systems (TLPS) to protect forested areas, where deemed necessary by the tree risk assessment. This work analytically identifies the critical trunk radius of the tree below which the tree may explode in the case of a lightning strike and ignite the surrounding vegetation. The critical heights of trees requiring lightning protection systems to prevent loss of human life and cultural heritage are also identified.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2021-07-01IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications
https://doi.org/10.1109/tia.2021.3084122