IFC 4.3.x development

5.4.3.41 IfcRelConnectsWithRealizingElements

5.4.3.41.1 Semantic definitions at the entity

IfcRelConnectsWithRealizingElements defines a generic relationship that is made between two elements that require the realization of that relationship by means of further realizing elements.

An IfcRelConnectsWithRealizingElements is a specialization of IfcRelConnectsElement where the connecting operation has the additional attribute of (one or many) realizing elements that may be used to realize or further qualify the relationship. It is defined as a ternary relationship.

EXAMPLE  It may be used to describe the attachment of one element to another where the attachment is realized by a 'fixing' element such as a bracket. It may also be used to describe the mounting of one element onto another such as the requirement for the mounting major plant items onto builders work bases and/or anti-vibration isolators.

HISTORY  New entity in IFC2x2.

NOTE  Regarding bridge prestressing, the tendon conduits and the tendon anchors are aggregated into the concrete elements, but not always the tendon itself (as the tendon may pass through several elements). Therefore, it is good practise to use RelConnects relationships between the tendon and the tendon conduits and the tendon anchors.

The connection types for bridges include:

• TrussJoint: Joint between truss members.
• ExpansionJoint: Joint allowing movement, usually due to thermal expansion difference in structures, with DiscreteAccessory of type EXPANSION_JOINT_DEVICE as RealizingElement.
• EmbeddedPartsJoint: Joint for auxiliary parts to structure, with appropriate RealizingElements, such as DiscreteAccessories of type ANCHORPLATE, BRACKET or SHOE.
• ConstructionJoint: Joint for phasing of construction, typically in in-situ concrete structures.

5.4.3.41.1 Attributes

#	Attribute	Type	Description
IfcRoot
1	GlobalId	IfcGloballyUniqueId	Assignment of a globally unique identifier within the entire software world.
2	OwnerHistory	OPTIONAL IfcOwnerHistory	Assignment of the information about the current ownership of that object, including owning actor, application, local identification and information captured about the recent changes of the object, > NOTE  only the last modification in stored - either as addition, deletion or modification. > IFC4 CHANGE  The attribute has been changed to be OPTIONAL.
3	Name	OPTIONAL IfcLabel	Optional name for use by the participating software systems or users. For some subtypes of IfcRoot the insertion of the Name attribute may be required. This would be enforced by a where rule.
4	Description	OPTIONAL IfcText	Optional description, provided for exchanging informative comments.
IfcRelationship
IfcRelConnects
IfcRelConnectsElements
5	ConnectionGeometry	OPTIONAL IfcConnectionGeometry	The geometric shape representation of the connection geometry that is provided in the object coordinate system of the RelatingElement (mandatory) and in the object coordinate system of the RelatedElement (optionally).
6	RelatingElement	IfcElement	Reference to a subtype of IfcElement that is connected by the connection relationship in the role of RelatingElement.
7	RelatedElement	IfcElement	Reference to a subtype of IfcElement that is connected by the connection relationship in the role of RelatedElement.
IfcRelConnectsWithRealizingElements
8	RealizingElements	SET [1:?] OF IfcElement	Defines the elements that realize a connection relationship.
9	ConnectionType	OPTIONAL IfcLabel	The type of the connection given for informal purposes, it may include labels, like 'joint', 'rigid joint', 'flexible joint', etc.

5.4.3.41.2 Entity inheritance

5.4.3.41.3 Definitions applying to General Usage

5.4.3.41.3.1 Identity

5.4.3.41.3.2 Revision Control

5.4.3.41.4 Formal representations

ENTITY IfcRelConnectsWithRealizingElements
 SUBTYPE OF (IfcRelConnectsElements);
	RealizingElements : SET [1:?] OF IfcElement;
	ConnectionType : OPTIONAL IfcLabel;
END_ENTITY;