BIM Level of Development

Building information modelling (BIM) is a process that entails developing and maintaining digital representations of the construction and operation elements of a building project. BIM makes it easier for project stakeholders to share information throughout the project lifecycle and improves communication and collaboration between them. The Level of Development (LOD) standards, which specify the level of detail and precision necessary for each part of a project at various phases of its development, are a crucial component of BIM. The many stages of development in BIM, such as the Level of Detail (LOD) and Level of Information (LOI), will be discussed in this article, along with an overview of the LOD specifications of the RIBA, BIM Forum, and ISO19650.

The term "Level of Development" (LOD) describes the level of accuracy and detail present in a BIM model at a certain point in the project's development. The needed degree of detail for each component of a BIM model, including graphical and non-graphical information, is specified by the LOD definition. In this essay, we will explore the LOD specifications of RIBA, BIM Forum, and ISO19650, which have all been developed by various organizations and societies.

• RIBA LOD Specification:

The degree of detail and information needed at each stage of a project is clarified in a LOD standard created by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). LOD 0 through LOD 6 are the seven levels that make up RIBA's LOD definition. LOD 0 is the lowest level of detail, indicating a conceptual model, while LOD 6 is the highest level of detail, representing a model that contains all manufacturing, assembly, and construction aspects. The LOD specification from RIBA, which is extensively used in the UK and respected internationally, incorporates both graphical and non-graphical information.

• BIM Forum LOD Specification:

The BIM Forum is a nonprofit group that encourages the application of BIM in the building sector. The amount of detail and information necessary for each component of a BIM model is specified by the LOD definition created by the BIM Forum. The five levels of the LOD specification from the BIM Forum range from LOD 100 to LOD 500. LOD 500 is the most detailed, reflecting a model that incorporates as-built conditions with precise dimensions, whereas LOD 100 is the least detailed, representing a conceptual model. The LOD specification from the BIM Forum, which is mainly utilized in the US, incorporates both graphical and non-graphical information.

ISO19650 LOD Specification:

As part of the ISO19650 standard, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is using level of information need concept. The ISO19650 standard offers recommendations for the management and organization of information across the course of a project. The amount of detail and information necessary for each component of a BIM model at each step of the project's development is laid out in the ISO19650 LOD specification as level of information need in each stage. The level of information need of each information deliverable should be determined according to its purpose. This should contain the appropriate assessment of the information's quality, amount, and level of detail. Its level of information need might differ from deliverable to deliverable and is referred to as this. Levels of information required can be determined using a variety of measures. For instance, the quality, quantity, and granularity of the geometrical and alphabetic content can be defined by two complementary but independent measures. These metrics should be used to establish the amounts of information required for the entire project or asset once they have been identified. All of this needs to be thoroughly explained in the OIR, PIR, AIR, or EIR. The lowest quantity of information required to address each pertinent requirement, including information requested by other appointed parties, should be used to determine the amounts of information needed, and no more. Anything above this minimal amount is regarded as trash.

Comparison of LOD Specifications:

There are several discrepancies between the three LOD requirements, despite the fact that they all have the same function. The BIM Forum's LOD specification contains five levels, the ISO19650 LOD definition has another concept of level of information need, and RIBA's LOD specification has the maximum levels with seven. The LOD specification from RIBA is commonly used in the UK, whereas the LOD definition from the BIM Forum is mostly used in the US. The ISO19650 LOD specification is a widely accepted international standard. The ISO19650 LOD specification is suited for the entire lifecycle of a building project because it also provides more thorough information on upkeep, operation, and disposal.

How the Level of Detail (LOD) and Level of Information (LOI) are defined in the LOD specifications is another difference. Only BIM Forum expressly specifies LOD for non-graphical information, even though all three LOD specifications specify LOD for graphical information. Level of Information (LOI) is a term used in BIM Forum to describe the level of detail necessary for non-graphical information, such as performance data, materials, and sustainability information. This is a crucial component of BIM since non-graphical data can significantly affect the efficiency and sustainability of a construction project.

In conclusion, a key component of BIM is the Level of Development (LOD) specification, which specifies the level of accuracy and detail needed for each component of a building project at various stages of development. Three organizations, each with distinct qualities, have created their own LOD specifications: RIBA, BIM Forum, and ISO19650. Even though all three LOD specifications have the same goal in mind, there are several variances among them. These include the number of levels, the regions in which they are used, and the definitions of LOD and LOI. For a building project to be successful and run at its best throughout its lifecycle, understanding the LOD specifications and how they apply to it is essential.