Saturday 6 December 2014

Level of Information and graphic












Cuneco is a Danish research project, developing, testing and implementing standards for data exchange through all building processes from conception and design through execution to operation and maintenance. 

Cuneco has launched a number of initiatives related to the development in the areas of:
  • Classification
  • Property Data
  • Information Levels
  • Measuring Rules
The graphics representation should only form a framework for both those who make the demands, and for those who must meet them.

Part of this note is based on cuneco Project 12061 Classification of Properties and cuneco Project 13011 Levels of information. This Note argues that the graphical representation not necessarily follow developments in Levels of information, but that the designer on each of seven Levels of information can choose one of three graphical representations, SOLID, OUTLINE and DETAIL. The graphical representation is symbols and avatars, only constitute the basis for a common framework of understanding in respect and expectation of professionalism, so it is important that the requirements does not become common technical drawings. 

DESIGN

Design in 3D with intelligent tools has initiated new and exciting tools, new workspaces and new forms of cooperation, but it also meant that the implicit understanding has been replaced by a more explicit perception and interpretation.

All actors in the construction industry has a professional understanding of both the design process and construction process, an understanding and knowledge we have to respect in the world of 3D building modelling, and therefore necessarily must respect and recognize implicit and not formalized assumptions.

The problem is when a non-formalized assumption is based on real, concrete knowledge, and when it is based on conventional thinking, formalities and reactions, that are related to a traditional project view, both in form, scope and method of cooperation.

3D building model contains at any time both tentative and concrete information, with a rising degree over time, so therefore a design project is containing both preliminary and specific information on different Levels of Information.


Slide 01 : Designwork in progress with walls on different Levels of Information

This information is used widely across organizations for various purposes such as basis for analysis and calculations, price calculations, scheduling, energy calculation, execution basis and visuali-zations.

This provides great challenges in communication of this information, as not all information is intended as validated by the sender, but the partner may be perceived it as valid information that can be used as a basis for further project work.

Often, a 3D digital model creates the illusion of completion and information, which is really not present. The method must support the information management throughout the construction life cycle, from concept to design, to the execution and for the operation and maintenance.


Slide 02 :  The amount of total information and the amount of valid information.

The Construction industry handles and communicates information widely with varying validity, and it is therefore essential to realize the need to be able to make precise requirements for the scope, the quality and the definition of information.


CUNECO LEVEL OF INFORMATION

Level of Information creates a tool that enables a clear communication of the validity of the information that may be contained in the project documents as well digital as analogue.

For information transfers and requirements between actors it thus will be clear to both the passer as the one who receives the explicit information contained, and at what Level of information they are located.

The method must support the information management throughout the construction life cycle, from concept to design, through construction, and for operation and maintenance.

AIA | LEVEL OF DEVELOPMENT | LOD

The Level of Development (LOD) is a reference specification developed by The American Institute of Architects. The method makes it possible for all parties in the building process to establish clear and specific agreements on communication of data related to Building Information Modeling. They define and illustrate the characteristics of building objects in various building systems at different Levels of Development.

This clear articulation makes it possible to communicate, understand and define valid information so that it is possible for all parties clarify both the possibilities and limitations of the 3D building models that are exchanged between the parties in the construction process. LOD thus ensures consistency in both the communication and performance by facilitating a clear definition of deliverables through a project from idea to DV. Level of Development today interprets LOD in two ways, Level of Detail is perceived as an internal development of the detailing, while the Level of Development is a concretization at an agreed stage pass.

GRAPHIC

All Levels of information systems includes illustrations showing a linear development of project documentation, but these illustrations does not support the BIM method's great potential for iterative project development, where the components are undergoing a progressive elaboration throughout the project life cycle.

This iterative project development means that new ideas be assessed, approved or replaced by new ideas, so therefore the project continuously is analysed, reviewed, improved, developed and refined to a progressively more detailed and specific information model and with an increasing degree of available information, both as implicit knowledge and as explicit knowledge.

Therefore there is a need for a much more flexible solution, a solution that can handle the iterative project development, and respects and expects professionalism.

Slide 03 : Implicit assumption

Slide 04 : Explicit assumption

The Danish Construction company MT Højgaard requirements for Levels of information is based on US LOD requirements, and Copenhagen Property is for now implementing similar methods which requires graphics with a linear development and therefore not include and support the digital iterative context. The software company VICO is working with so-called Primitives, with graphics within specific categories of objects, but where the graphic also illustrates a linear project development.

The iterative project development implies a much more flexible methodology, where the requirements for the graphic expression can be selected on the basis of three form concepts SOLID, OUTLINE and DETAIL, and so that they do not necessarily follow the development of information levels, as shown in the examples in Slide 06 below.

Slide 05: The graphics follows the increasing amount of information.

The problem is that all projects that include Levels of information, based on a graphic interoperation initiate the development of creative expression, that follows the increasing amount of information. This can cause erroneous interpretations about what properties information may actually be linked to a specific Level of information.

A graphic showing layering on LOD 300 does not necessarily indicate a requirement for all layers to be displayed graphically, but can only be property informations about the number of layers in the specific construction.

So therefore, new conditions, new ways…


Slide 06 : The graphics do not follow the increasing amount of information.

PROPOSAL

Determine requirements for graphics within groups of building elements, not for individual building elements, it will be impossible to handle requirements for individual building elements at seven Levels of Information. The proposal focuses therefore on three graphic expressions within 4 groups, a grouping which is based on common characteristics of objects.

4 GROUPS

Komposit
System+
System
Komponent 

Determine requirements for three geometric concepts that are not related to specific levels of information, but are defined solely in relation to the context of the project.

SOLID     
The object is represented as a generic object, that defines the object's construction space and space for mounting.

OUTLINE                
The object is graphically represented as divided into layers and components that are represented by construction space, space for mounting and recesses for technical main routing.

DETAIL   
The object is represented graphically divided into layers and components with profiles represented by a measured dimension and location, and relationships to adjacent objects so that the object design is coordinated.



Slide 07 : Komposit | SOLID


Slide 08 : Komposit | DETAIL


Slide 09 : System+ | DETAIL

THE DPR SOLUTION

The Construction Company DPR from the United States works with 4 Levels, as can be related to the proposed three geometry representations and a FABRICATION INSTALLATION level from DPR. A montage of a plasterboard wall could well be carried out on the basis of OUTLINE, need not necessarily by DETAIL, but it is of course essential that the installer has very detailed information from the supplier, an installation worksheet which can contain both text, drawings and videos.

DPR related requirements for graphics along with the four levels of information, Level 1-4, as shown in the following sketches, and subsequently the proposal SOLID, OUTLINE, RETAIL and PRODUCTION related to DPR's objective descriptions of the 4 Levels.