IfcDistributionFlowElement

Definition from IAI: The distribution element IfcDistributionFlowElement defines occurrence elements of a distribution system that facilitate the distribution of energy or matter, such as air, water or power.

EXAMPLEs of distribution flow elements are ducts, pipes, wires, fittings, equipment, etc.

The IfcDistributionFlowElement utilizes the following capabilities mainly through inverse references to objectified relationships:

Grouping - being part of a logical group of objects
Classification - assigned reference to an external classification
Documentation - assigned reference to an external documentation
Type - reference to the product type information for the element occurrence
Properties - reference to all attached properties, including quantities
Cost control - reference to cost elements associated with this distribution element
Work processes - reference to work tasks, in which this distribution element participates
Aggregation - aggregated together with other elements to form an aggregate
Connection - connectivity to other elements, including the definition of the connection or joint

The IfcDistributionFlowElement defines the occurrence of a distribution element within the spatial context of a project. The parameters that define the type of the distribution element and/or its shape are defined by the IfcDistributionFlowElementType subtypes, which is related by the inverse relationship IsDefinedBy pointing to IfcRelDefinesByType.

HISTORY: New entity in IFC R2.0.

Geometry Use Definitions

The geometric representation of IfcDistributionFlowElement is given by the IfcProductDefinitionShape, allowing multiple geometric representations.

Geometry Use Definitions

The geometric representation of IfcDistributionFlowElement subtypes are given by the IfcProductDefinitionShape, allowing multiple geometric representations. If an IfcRepresentationMap is defined for the IfcDistributionFlowElementType subtypes, then the IfcDistributionFlowElement utilizes it through the IfcMappedItem.

Local Placement

The local placement is defined in the supertype IfcProduct. It is defined by the IfcLocalPlacement which can define an absolute placement, relative placement, or grid reference, with each defining the local coordinate system referenced by all geometric representations. If given, the PlacementRelTo relationship of IfcLocalPlacement, shall point to the referenced IfcProduct. If the relative placement is not used, the absolute placement is defined within the world coordinate system.

Informal propositions for local placement:

If the LocalPlacement is specified, then all aggregated components should use this placement as their relative placement.

Bounding Box Representation

IfcShapeRepresentation

RepresentationIdentifier : 'BoundingBox'

RepresentationType : 'BoundingBox'

Any IfcDistributionFlowElement may be represented as a bounding box, which shows the maximum extents of the body within the coordinated system established by the IfcLocalPlacement. The bounding box representation is the simpliest geometric representation available. It is ensured by assigning the value 'BoundingBox' to the RepresentationType attribute of IfcShapeRepresentation.

B-Rep Representation

IfcShapeRepresentation

RepresentationIdentifier : 'Brep'

RepresentationType : 'Brep'

The faceted B-Rep capabilities (with or without voids) shall be supported for B-Rep representation.

EXPRESS specification:

ENTITY IfcDistributionFlowElement

SUPERTYPE OF

(ONEOF(IfcFlowFitting, IfcFlowSegment, IfcFlowController, IfcFlowTerminal, IfcFlowMovingDevice, IfcEnergyConversionDevice, IfcFlowStorageDevice, IfcFlowTreatmentDevice, IfcDistributionChamberElement))

SUBTYPE OF (

IfcDistributionElement);

INVERSE

HasControlElements

SET [0:1] OF IfcRelFlowControlElements FOR RelatingFlowElement;

END_ENTITY;

Attribute definitions:

HasControlElements

Reference to the relationship object that relates control elements.

Inheritance graph

ENTITY IfcDistributionFlowElement;

ENTITY IfcRoot;

GlobalId

IfcGloballyUniqueId;

OwnerHistory

IfcOwnerHistory;

Name

OPTIONAL IfcLabel;

Description

OPTIONAL IfcText;

ENTITY IfcObjectDefinition;

INVERSE

HasAssignments

SET OF IfcRelAssigns FOR RelatedObjects;

IsDecomposedBy

SET OF IfcRelDecomposes FOR RelatingObject;

Decomposes

SET [0:1] OF IfcRelDecomposes FOR RelatedObjects;

HasAssociations

SET OF IfcRelAssociates FOR RelatedObjects;

ENTITY IfcObject;

ObjectType

OPTIONAL IfcLabel;

INVERSE

IsDefinedBy

SET OF IfcRelDefines FOR RelatedObjects;

ENTITY IfcProduct;

ObjectPlacement

OPTIONAL IfcObjectPlacement;

Representation

OPTIONAL IfcProductRepresentation;

INVERSE

ReferencedBy

SET OF IfcRelAssignsToProduct FOR RelatingProduct;

ENTITY IfcElement;

Tag

OPTIONAL IfcIdentifier;

INVERSE

FillsVoids

SET [0:1] OF IfcRelFillsElement FOR RelatedBuildingElement;

ConnectedTo

SET OF IfcRelConnectsElements FOR RelatingElement;

HasCoverings

SET OF IfcRelCoversBldgElements FOR RelatingBuildingElement;

HasProjections

SET OF IfcRelProjectsElement FOR RelatingElement;

HasStructuralMember

SET OF IfcRelConnectsStructuralElement FOR RelatingElement;

ReferencedInStructures

SET OF IfcRelReferencedInSpatialStructure FOR RelatedElements;

HasPorts

SET OF IfcRelConnectsPortToElement FOR RelatedElement;

HasOpenings

SET OF IfcRelVoidsElement FOR RelatingBuildingElement;

IsConnectionRealization

SET OF IfcRelConnectsWithRealizingElements FOR RealizingElements;

ProvidesBoundaries

SET OF IfcRelSpaceBoundary FOR RelatedBuildingElement;

ConnectedFrom

SET OF IfcRelConnectsElements FOR RelatedElement;

ContainedInStructure

SET [0:1] OF IfcRelContainedInSpatialStructure FOR RelatedElements;

ENTITY IfcDistributionElement;

ENTITY IfcDistributionFlowElement;

INVERSE

HasControlElements

SET [0:1] OF IfcRelFlowControlElements FOR RelatingFlowElement;

END_ENTITY;