Application of coupled 1D and 2D isoparametric discontinuous boundary elements in the calculation of large grounding systems

This paper presents the application of coupled 1D and 2D isoparametric discontinuous boundary elements for calculation of large grounding systems. Indirect method of boundary elements was applied. Parts of long thin grounding conductor (e.g., tapes, grids, mashes or rods) are discretization with a 1D linear isoparametric discontinuous boundary elements. Boundary surfaces of solid grounding conductor (e.g., large diameter pipelines) are discretization with 2D bilinear isoparametric discontinuous boundary elements. Computer program “EARTH” was developed. Examples for grounding calculations of 1D and 2D were particularly tested, as well as coupled examples of 1D-2D.