Everything to Know About Level of Development (LOD) in BIM

              BIM is a highly intelligent 3D model which allows the AEC industry to collaborate on the planning, designing, and construction of projects. When BIM is being used, it represents the exact geometry of the object. The level of development (LOD) has a broad geometric representation of an accurate as-built model of the project. LOD is a state of the project information model at a particular point in its design process.
  BIM models should develop designs and shop drawings with precise geometric representations. LOD is an industry-standard that defines various development stages of construction projects in BIM. LOD uses a 3D model to achieve shared understanding among stakeholders for effective and clear communication among disciplines. 



What is the level of Development?

             The level of development specifications allows professionals in the industry to effectively evolvement of geometry and associated information in the entire process. Using LOD, designers and engineers can communicate the usability of the model and the limitations of model. Its specifications were designed to standardize the use of the LOD framework and use it as an efficient and collaboration communication tool.
            LOD helps in clarity in illustration gives depth to the model signifying how much and at which level someone should rely on a model's element. It represents the degree to which different members of the team can rely on information associated with an element. 

 Fundamental LOD Definition

1] LOD 100 - Concept Design

Level of development 100 is the beginning of the project which does not contain any features like dimension, shape, and exact placement locations. Here no geometric information is placed in the model. It only consists of symbols with approximate information. Elements considered in LOD 100 represent generic placeholders that lack physical information. 

 2] LOD200 - Approximate Geometry

Level of development 200 is similar to the schematic design and design development. It is the conceptual phase which consists of masking model and associated data into a mod in ready for the creation of construction document. In LOD 200, the model will be consist of approximate quantity, size, location, and other elements that will be installed. Some elements have recognizable shapes but others have generic shapes that represent volumes occupied.

3] LOD300 - Accurate Geometry 

Level of development 300 is a phase where accurate design and design resembles.  Specific elements are confirmed as 3D object geometry. At this stage, a model will contain accurate quantity, size, location, and the relationship between the object which will be installed at the place. No space claims rough shapes that will be installed. The data about all objects will be filled in with all the basic information. It is suitable for designing the intent to support processes like costing and bidding.

4] LOD350 - Accurate with Connection 

Level of development 350 has the same information as that of LOD 300, but it includes interfaces with other components like connection and support. In LOD 350, the model element is graphically represented within a model as a specific system, object, or assembly in terms of quantity, size, shape, location, and orientation.  It indicates how the component will be installed and how it interacts with other systems. 

5] LOD 400 - Fabrication & Assembly

Level of development 400 consists of details like fabrication, assembly, and installation which can be used by suppliers to manufacture the components being represented. Non-geometric elements can be embedded with the model elements at LOD 400.

6] LOD 500 - As-built

Level of development 500 is the digital twin of the post-construction of the project. It is a field verified representation of geometrically accurate elements. It consists of elements that are verified in terms of size, shape, quantity, location, orientation and are considered the accurate representation of elements after construction. It has information that is suitable geometry to support operations and maintenance.
 

Level of Development -

LOD100 - Concept design
LOD200 - Approximate geometry 
LOD300 - Accurate geometry 
LOD350 - Accurate geometry with connections 
LOD400 - Fabrication & Assembly 
LOD500 - As-built

            Level of development is a communication tool that is used to specify the modeling complexity of building elements. Using LOD,  developers and contractors can save time and avoid unnecessary work by identifying the required LOD for building systems. 

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Aniket Nandkishor Daud
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