Cost Optimization of Electrical Grounding and Lightning Protection Systems in a Large-Scale Building Through Alternative Material Integration

This research investigates the design and cost optimization of grounding and lightning protection systems for a large-scale building. The study aims to reduce construction expenses while maintaining performance, reliability, and compliance with IEC standards. The lightning protection system is designed for protection level III and features vertical down conductors and ring loops distributed across six buildings. To improve cost efficiency, traditional bare copper conductors are replaced with 10 mm hot-dip galvanized steel wire. The number of earth pads is reduced by utilizing the building’s facade supports as bonding points. Air terminals are strategically positioned using the rolling sphere method, resulting in a mesh-type air-termination system with a uniform 12 × 12 m grid. On the rooftop, 25 × 3 mm hot-dip galvanized steel tape serves as the main conductor and extends to the upper facade areas. Through the integration of alternative materials and optimized design strategies, installation costs were significantly reduced. The results highlight that material substitution and efficient structural integration can achieve substantial economic savings while ensuring engineering effectiveness and compliance in large-scale construction projects.