What is Level of Development (LOD) in BIM | Top 10 BIM software's in 2023
Hello friends, today in this post you will learn about the concept of The Level of Development (LOD) in BIM & also the importance of LOD in BIM.
So, don't skip to read the post completely. After reading the post, you will completely understand the simple concept of the LOD & other important topics.
So, let's start with these amazing topic...
The Origin of LOD
LOD stands for "Level of Development ". It's specification allows all the working professionals in the industry to articulate how an element’s geometry as well as the associated information has evolved throughout the entire process.
It signifies the degree to which different members of the team can rely on information associated with an element.
The LOD specification helps designers define the inherent characteristics of the elements in a model at different stages of development.
With the help of BIM, various designers as well as the engineers can communicate with other professionals who will be using the model.
LOD specifications were designed to standardize the use of the LOD framework to use it in an efficient as well as a collaborative communication tool.
LOD consists of various set of specifications that gives professionals in the AEC industry the power to document, articulate. But also it specify the content of BIM effectively as well as very clearly way.
As it is Serving as an standard for the industry, hence the LOD defines the development stages of different systems in BIM.
With the help of LOD specifications, architects, engineers as well as the other professionals can clearly communicate with each other without causing any confusion during the work and it will also help in fast work.
The origin LOD was introduced first by the American Institute of Architects in the year 2008.
For BIM models, they defined it by the five different levels of development to define the detailing levels. From research, the concept of LOD was present from few years ago.
Now there are six levels of development with an addition of LOD 350. Mostly it has seen that 80-90% of the elements in a model should at a minimum reach LOD 350.
Level of Development vs. Level of Detail
LOD is usually known as a Level of Detail instead of Level of Development. This specification uses the concept of Level of Development. There are important differences.
Level of Detail is includes upto what proportion of detail is enclosed within the model element.
Level of Development is the degree to which the components’ specification, geometry as well as the attached information to which project team members may works on the information when using the model.
In other words, we understand it as a concepts in which it is an input to the elements for the Level of Detail, while the Level of Development is a reliable output.
Here are the types of LOD outlines that are used as per the design requirements at each stage.
The LOD 100, which includes the pre-design stage. In these stage, the model consists of 2D symbols as well as the masses to signify an element’s existence.
In LOD 200, the elements are partially defined by outlining their approximate quantity, size, shape as well as the location.
In LOD 300, the elements are defined with exact dimensions, but also with their relative positions with high precision.
LOD 350 in BIM describes the information related about an element precisely and also the outlines of an element’s relation as well as all the connection with other components.
The LOD 400 level defines, the basic information about the construction of various elements.
With the help of LOD 500, the model begins representing likes a real-life functions of elements in a real building.
Below are all the definitions of LOD in detail :
LOD 100: Pre-Design
In LOD 100, all the Building elements are represented with generic placeholders that doesn't contain any physical information, such as symbols.
Also in these, the element does not show any features such as the dimensions, shapes as well as the exact locations.
General information about LOD 100 elements may be available from other components, but at this stage it is considered an approximation.
LOD 200: Schematic Design
LOD 200 elements are slightly more complex as compare with the LOD 100. By using placeholders with approximate features - dimensions, shapes, locations, etc.
In these type of LOD, the elements may also have non-geometric information associated with them.
In these LOD, some of the elements have recognizable shapes, but others only have generic shapes that represent the volumes occupied.
In these Level of Development, All information is still approximate.
LOD 300 : Design Development
In LOD 300, all the elements are graphic representations like LOD 200.
But in LOD 300, their geometry as well as the physical features are accurate at this stage.
In other words, during the construction stage, the model containing can be used in LOD 300.
LOD 350 : Construction Documentation
In these LOD, the elements contain the same information as LOD 300.
As well as, the LOD 350 also includes interfaces with other building components, such as supports and connections.
The model of these LOD indicates, how the component itself will be installed, as well as, how it will acts with other building systems.
LOD 400: Construction Stage
In these stage, the elements include fabrication as well as the installation details. In other words, the details and information contained by the elements in these LOD can be used by suppliers to manufacture the components being represented.
LOD 500: As-Built
Here, the LOD 500 models are accurate representations of building elements after construction, which have been field-verified. Also theses LOD, elements represent the existing installation, facility managers can use them as reference for operation as well as for the maintenance works.
Using of the LOD Framework Effectively :
It is very important to note that, the LOD is a very communication tool.
These can be easily used to specify the modeling complexity of building elements.
In a given project, developing the entire model up to LOD 500 is not necessary. For example, standard components and materials that are commercially available do not require fabrication details (LOD 400).
A building may also have aesthetic details that can be very easily determined after construction work, which may be left at a preliminary stage (LOD 100 or 200).
With the help of required LOD for building systems or components, developers as well as the contractors can avoid unnecessary work cost & time required for it's construction.
For easy understanding of Level of Development (LOD) concept, take reference of below video for easy understanding :
Video 1 :- What is Level of Development?
Video 2 :- Explaination of LOD 100.to LOD 500.
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