IfcElement
Definition from IAI: Generalization of all components that make up an AEC product. Those elements can be logically contained by a spatial structure element that constitutes a certain level within a project structure hierarchy (e.g., site, building, storey or space). This is done by using the IfcRelContainedInSpatialStructure relationship.
Elements are physically existent objects, although they might be void elements, such as holes. Elements either remain permanently in the AEC product, or only temporarily, as formwork does. Elements can be either assembled on site or pre-manufactured and built in on site.
EXAMPLEs of elements in a building construction context are walls, floors, windows and recesses.
An element can have material and quantity information assigned through the IfcRelAssociatesMaterial and IfcRelDefinesByProperties relationship.
In addition an element can be declared to be a specific occurrence of an element type (and thereby be defined by the element type properties) using the IfcRelDefinesByType relationship.
An element can also be defined as an element assembly that is a group of semantically and topologically related elements that form a higher level part of the AEC product. Those element assemblies are defined by virtue of the IfcRelAggregates relationship.
EXAMPLEs for element assembly are complete Roof Structures, made by several Roof Areas, or a Stair, composed by Flights and Landings.
Elements that performs the same function may be grouped by an "Element Group By Function". It is realized by an instance of IfcGroup with the ObjectType = 'ElementGroupByFunction".
HISTORY New entity in IFC Release 1.0
Property Set Use Definition:
The property sets relating to the IfcElement are defined by the IfcPropertySet and attached by the IfcRelDefinesByProperties relationship. It is accessible by the inverse IsDefinedBy relationship. The following property set definitions specific to the IfcElement are part of this IFC release:
Quantity Use Definition:
The quantities relating to the IfcElement are defined by the IfcElementQuantity and attached by the IfcRelDefinesByProperties. A detailed specification for individual quantities is introduced at the level of subtypes of IfcElement.
Geometry Use Definitions
The geometric representation of any IfcElement is given by the IfcProductDefinitionShape and IfcLocalPlacement allowing multiple geometric representations. A detailed specification for the shape representaion is introduced at the level of subtypes of IfcElement.
EXPRESS specification:
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| Tag | : | The tag (or label) identifier at the particular instance of a product, e.g. the serial number, or the position number. It is the identifier at the occurrence level. |
| FillsVoids | : | Reference to the Fills Relationship that puts the Element into the Opening within another Element. |
| ConnectedTo | : | Reference to the element connection relationship. The relationship then refers to the other element to
which this element is connected to. |
| HasCoverings | : |
Reference to IfcCovering by virtue of the objectified relationship IfcRelCoversBldgElement. It defines the concept of an element having coverings attached.
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| HasProjections | : | Projection relationship that adds a feature (using a Boolean union) to the IfcBuildingElement. |
| ReferencedInStructures | : |
Reference relationship to the spatial structure element, to which the element is additionally associated.
IFC2x Edition 3 CHANGE The inverse attribute has been added with upward compatibility for file based exchange. |
| HasPorts | : | Reference to the element to port connection relationship. The relationship then refers to the port which
is contained in this element. |
| HasOpenings | : | Reference to the Voids Relationship that creates an opening in an element. An element can incorporate
zero-to-many openings. |
| IsConnectionRealization | : | Reference to the connection relationship with realizing element. The relationship then refers to the
realizing element which provides the physical manifestation of the connection relationship. |
| ProvidesBoundaries | : | Reference to Space Boundaries by virtue of the objectified relationship IfcRelSeparatesSpaces. It defines
the concept of an Building Element bounding Spaces. |
| ConnectedFrom | : | Reference to the element connection relationship. The relationship then refers to the other element that
is connected to this element. |
| ContainedInStructure | : | Containment relationship to the spatial structure element, to which the element is primarily associated. |
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