LOD, or Level of Development, is the set of standards or details that is to be incorporated in a BIM model. These are standards used in the industry for different design stages, 3-D Modeling, planning, scheduling, quantity takeoff, on-site quality control, and fabrication. By using this set of standards, engineers and architects can easily communicate with each other on different matters without any confusion.
So, what exactly does LOD do? Level of Development standards allows engineers, architects and other professionals in the construction industry to express how an object’s geometry and related information has progressed throughout the project lifecycle. It entails the extent to which different team members can rely on the data connected with the object. This means that designers can relay information about the usage and limits of the model to other professionals who will be working on the model in the future.
It is important to note that the Level of Development is quite different from the Level of Detail. The level of detail actually tells what part of the detail is stored within the model. On the other hand, the level of development standards shows the extent to which a 3D model’s geometry, specs, and associated information can be relied on by the team members. In other words, Level of Detail is an input while Level of Development is an output.
There are 6 different stages of the Level of Development.
LOD100
LOD100 is the pre-design phase. The model only consists of 2D drawings and other symbols to show an element’s existence. The model is graphically represented through symbols. Any data extracted from the LOD100 model is regarded as approximate. The LOD100 phase is also known as the conceptual phase. It only communicates the model requirements and the site constraints.
LOD200
The next phase is the Approximate Geometry phase. In LOD200, the model elements are outlined approximately according to their size, shape, quantity and geo-location. Non-geometric information can also be associated with this model. The data extracted from LOD200 is also approximate. The model in LOD200 is referred to as the schematic design.
LOD300
LOD300 is the Pre-construction or Production model. In LOD300, the design moves towards a more accurate approach. The model elements are defined with precise dimensions and orientation. The project origin is defined and the model is oriented relative to the origin. The model is used for design intent.
LOD350
Apart from having all the features of the LOD300, LOD350 graphically represents all the model elements as well as the connection they have with each other. It is known as Precise Geometry with Connections. This model is suitable for documentation.
LOD400
The LOD400 model is suitable for fabrication and installation. The model elements inside the model is graphically represented as a precise system in terms of size, shape, position or orientation, along with details of fabrication, installation, and assembly information.
LOD500
LOD500 is the “as-built” model. “As-built” models are the models designed after how the structure was actually built. The model is most suited for maintenance and facility management purposes. It is field verified and the data extracted from this model is the most accurate.
In conclusion, executing a project without the use of level of development can prove the BIM Model to be quite less significant for the project team. Using the proper LOD standards, the precision, accuracy and worth of the BIM model can be improved drastically for the entire process.
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