Emulation of an Expensive FDTD Code With Mixed Quantitative and Qualitative Factors for Analysis of Lightning-Induced Transient Responses.

In this paper, we discuss how to replace a time-demanding computer code having both quantitative and qualitative variables with a surrogate model based on Kriging technique. The recourse to a predictive model is motivated by a challenging electromagnetic compatibility problem of maximum lightning-induced current in electronic equipment connected to a large industrial site. The technical aspects of the incorporation of qualitative variables via specific correlation functions are detailed. The accuracy of the built surrogate model is statistically validated. The application of the resulting metamodel to the uncertainty analysis of induced currents will be also investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]