It provides a streamlined workflow and facilitates proper coordination amongst the project team members. The Level of Development in BIM further simplifies the working process through various levels and results in an execution rooted in standards.

Origin of Level of Development (LOD)

Level of Development (LOD) was first introduced in 2008 by the American Institute of Architects(AIA); the concept was already in use. It defined the five different levels of development to elaborate the stages of detailing in BIM.

Vico Software — a construction analysis software company, first used a system similar to LOD, associating the digital models with the project cost.

All the parameters and details related to the digital model were made accessible to everyone by the company at different stages of the design process.

What is the Level of development (LOD)?

Level of Development (LOD) is a set of standards devised for Architectural, Engineering and Construction professionals. It provides the evolutionary analysis of the element’s geometry and related information throughout the process and conveys its reliability to the concerned team for further work at different development stages.

Also referred to as a lifecycle BIM tool, it helps professionals to document and specify the BIM contents precisely and clearly. It was formulated by AIA to establish a standard framework and develop an efficient communication tool.

The inherent characteristics of the elements in a model can be defined by the designers with the help of LOD specifications at different stages. The LOD enhances the BIM planning, allocation, communication, budgeting, collaboration, and scheduling, helping in reducing the possibility of reworking.

The clarity in illustration provides a depth in the model which equips the user with an understanding of how and at which stage they can rely on the element. The team can communicate with other consultants related to the project, discussing the usability and limitations of the model.

Read More : Significance of BIM in the AEC Industry

The AIA defined six levels of development, which state the reliability and complexity of a BIM model on a 100–500 scale. Generally, 80–90% of the elements of a project are expected to reach a minimum of LOD-350. Each level refers to a different stage during the design or construction process.

Various Levels of development in BIM

Enlisted are the six levels of development as defined by AIA –

LOD 100 — Conceptual Design

• The model is in the preliminary stage in this model of development, elucidating the parameters such as height, area, volume, location, and orientation.
• The model is simple with no decorative elements or patterns on display in the frame but uses a mass representation to depict the elements of the model.
• The information provided in this stage is perceived as an approximate analysis helping the professionals to understand spatial requirements.
• It involves some primary analysis inclusive of site construction phasing, whole building energy analysis, and conceptual cost.

LOD 200 — Schematic Design

• It is the schematic designing and design development stage of the model taking the longest time among all levels.
• The degree of complexity slightly increases in this LOD with the display of geometric features like shapes and dimensions.
• This level uses an approximate outline of the model which is further used for construction documentation instead of a mass model.
• The model will include the approximate quantity, size, location and systematic relationship of the objects planned for later installation.

Benefits of Level of Development (LOD) in the AEC Industry

LOD is a vital part of the whole BIM process. Any negligence towards it can create difficulties for the team working on the project in coordinating and functioning in alignment with each other.

Original source : level of Development in BIM