IFC 4.3.2.20241204 (IFC4X3_ADD2) under development

6.1.3.10 IfcColumn

6.1.3.10.1 Semantic definition

An IfcColumn is a vertical structural or architectural member which often is aligned with a structural grid intersection. In most cases it represents a vertical, or nearly vertical, structural member that transmits, through compression, the weight of the structure above to other structural elements below. It may also represent such a member from an architectural point of view in which case it may represent a non load bearing element.

Whether it is a structural load bearing element or a non-load bearing element is determined by the Pset_ColumnCommon.LoadBearing property.

There are two main representations for column occurrences:

  • IfcColumn with IfcMaterialProfileSetUsage is used for all occurrences of columns, that have a profile defined that is swept along a directrix. The profile might change uniformly by a taper definition along the directrix. The profile parameter and its cardinal point of insertion can be fully described by the IfcMaterialProfileSetUsage. These columns are always represented geometricly by an 'Axis' and a 'SweptSolid' or 'AdvancedSweptSolid' shape representation (or by a 'Clipping' geometry based on the swept solid), if a 3D geometric representation is assigned.
  • IfcColumn is used for all other occurrences of columns, particularly for columns with changing profile sizes along the extrusion, or columns defined by non-linear extrusion, or columns having only 'Brep', or 'SurfaceModel' geometry, if a more parametric representation is not intended.

For any longitudial structural member, not constrained to be predominately horizontal nor vertical, or where this semantic information is irrelevant, the entity IfcMember exists.

6.1.3.10.2 Entity inheritance

6.1.3.10.3 Attributes

# Attribute Type Description
IfcRoot (4)
IfcObjectDefinition (7)
IfcObject (5)
IfcProduct (5)
IfcElement (13)
Click to show 34 hidden inherited attributes
IfcColumn (1)
9 PredefinedType OPTIONAL IfcColumnTypeEnum

Predefined generic type for a column that is specified in an enumeration. There may be a property set given specifically for the predefined types.

Table 6.1.3.10.Q

6.1.3.10.4 Formal propositions

Name Description
CorrectPredefinedType

Either the PredefinedType attribute is unset (e.g. because an IfcColumnType is associated), or the inherited attribute ObjectType shall be provided, if the PredefinedType is set to USERDEFINED.

NOT(EXISTS(PredefinedType)) OR
(PredefinedType <> IfcColumnTypeEnum.USERDEFINED) OR
((PredefinedType = IfcColumnTypeEnum.USERDEFINED) AND EXISTS (SELF\IfcObject.ObjectType))
CorrectTypeAssigned

Either there is no column type object associated, i.e. the IsTypedBy inverse relationship is not provided, or the associated type object has to be of type IfcColumnType.

(SIZEOF(IsTypedBy) = 0) OR
('IFC4X3_DEV_54a9de1b.IFCCOLUMNTYPE' IN TYPEOF(SELF\IfcObject.IsTypedBy[1].RelatingType))
Table 6.1.3.10.R

6.1.3.10.5 Property sets

  • Pset_ColumnCommon
    • Reference
    • Status
    • Slope
    • Roll
    • IsExternal
    • ThermalTransmittance
    • LoadBearing
    • FireRating
  • Pset_ConcreteElementGeneral
    • AssemblyPlace
    • CastingMethod
    • StructuralClass
    • StrengthClass
    • ExposureClass
    • ReinforcementVolumeRatio
    • ReinforcementAreaRatio
    • DimensionalAccuracyClass
    • ConstructionToleranceClass
    • ConcreteCover
    • ConcreteCoverAtMainBars
    • ConcreteCoverAtLinks
    • ReinforcementStrengthClass
  • Pset_Condition
    • AssessmentDate
    • AssessmentCondition
    • AssessmentDescription
    • AssessmentType
    • AssessmentMethod
    • LastAssessmentReport
    • NextAssessmentDate
    • AssessmentFrequency
  • Pset_ConstructionAdministration
    • ProcurementMethod
    • SpecificationSectionNumber
    • SubmittalIdentifer
  • Pset_ConstructionOccurence
    • InstallationDate
    • ModelNumber
    • TagNumber
    • AssetIdentifier
  • Pset_ElementKinematics
    • CyclicPath
    • CyclicRange
    • LinearPath
    • LinearRange
    • MaximumAngularVelocity
    • MaximumConstantSpeed
    • MinimumTime
  • Pset_EnvironmentalCondition
    • ReferenceAirRelativeHumidity
    • ReferenceEnvironmentTemperature
    • MaximumAtmosphericPressure
    • StorageTemperatureRange
    • MaximumWindSpeed
    • OperationalTemperatureRange
    • MaximumRainIntensity
    • SaltMistLevel
    • SeismicResistance
    • SmokeLevel
    • MaximumSolarRadiation
  • Pset_EnvironmentalImpactIndicators
    • Reference
    • FunctionalUnitReference
    • IndicatorsUnit
    • LifeCyclePhase
    • ExpectedServiceLife
    • TotalPrimaryEnergyConsumptionPerUnit
    • WaterConsumptionPerUnit
    • HazardousWastePerUnit
    • NonHazardousWastePerUnit
    • ClimateChangePerUnit
    • AtmosphericAcidificationPerUnit
    • RenewableEnergyConsumptionPerUnit
    • NonRenewableEnergyConsumptionPerUnit
    • ResourceDepletionPerUnit
    • InertWastePerUnit
    • RadioactiveWastePerUnit
    • StratosphericOzoneLayerDestructionPerUnit
    • PhotochemicalOzoneFormationPerUnit
    • EutrophicationPerUnit
  • Pset_EnvironmentalImpactValues
    • TotalPrimaryEnergyConsumption
    • WaterConsumption
    • HazardousWaste
    • NonHazardousWaste
    • ClimateChange
    • AtmosphericAcidification
    • RenewableEnergyConsumption
    • NonRenewableEnergyConsumption
    • ResourceDepletion
    • InertWaste
    • RadioactiveWaste
    • StratosphericOzoneLayerDestruction
    • PhotochemicalOzoneFormation
    • Eutrophication
    • LeadInTime
    • Duration
    • LeadOutTime
  • Pset_InstallationOccurrence
    • InstallationDate
    • AcceptanceDate
    • PutIntoOperationDate
  • Pset_MaintenanceStrategy
    • AssetCriticality
    • AssetFrailty
    • AssetPriority
    • MonitoringType
    • AccidentResponse
  • Pset_MaintenanceTriggerCondition
    • ConditionTargetPerformance
    • ConditionMaintenanceLevel
    • ConditionReplacementLevel
    • ConditionDisposalLevel
  • Pset_MaintenanceTriggerDuration
    • DurationTargetPerformance
    • DurationMaintenanceLevel
    • DurationReplacementLevel
    • DurationDisposalLevel
  • Pset_MaintenanceTriggerPerformance
    • TargetPerformance
    • PerformanceMaintenanceLevel
    • ReplacementLevel
    • DisposalLevel
  • Pset_ManufacturerOccurrence
    • AcquisitionDate
    • BarCode
    • SerialNumber
    • BatchReference
    • AssemblyPlace
    • ManufacturingDate
  • Pset_ManufacturerTypeInformation
    • GlobalTradeItemNumber
    • ArticleNumber
    • ModelReference
    • ModelLabel
    • Manufacturer
    • ProductionYear
    • AssemblyPlace
    • OperationalDocument
    • SafetyDocument
    • PerformanceCertificate
  • Pset_PrecastConcreteElementFabrication
    • TypeDesignation
    • ProductionLotId
    • SerialNumber
    • PieceMark
    • AsBuiltLocationNumber
    • ActualProductionDate
    • ActualErectionDate
  • Pset_PrecastConcreteElementGeneral
    • TypeDesignation
    • CornerChamfer
    • ManufacturingToleranceClass
    • FormStrippingStrength
    • LiftingStrength
    • ReleaseStrength
    • MinimumAllowableSupportLength
    • InitialTension
    • TendonRelaxation
    • TransportationStrength
    • SupportDuringTransportDescription
    • SupportDuringTransportDocReference
    • HollowCorePlugging
    • CamberAtMidspan
    • BatterAtStart
    • BatterAtEnd
    • Twisting
    • Shortening
    • PieceMark
    • DesignLocationNumber
  • Pset_ReinforcementBarPitchOfColumn
    • Description
    • Reference
    • ReinforcementBarType
    • HoopBarPitch
    • XDirectionTieHoopBarPitch
    • XDirectionTieHoopCount
    • YDirectionTieHoopBarPitch
    • YDirectionTieHoopCount
  • Pset_RepairOccurrence
    • RepairContent
    • RepairDate
    • MeanTimeToRepair
  • Pset_Risk
    • RiskName
    • RiskType
    • NatureOfRisk
    • RiskAssessmentMethodology
    • UnmitigatedRiskLikelihood
    • UnmitigatedRiskConsequence
    • UnmitigatedRiskSignificance
    • MitigationPlanned
    • MitigatedRiskLikelihood
    • MitigatedRiskConsequence
    • MitigatedRiskSignificance
    • MitigationProposed
    • AssociatedProduct
    • AssociatedActivity
    • AssociatedLocation
  • Pset_ServiceLife
    • ServiceLifeDuration
    • MeanTimeBetweenFailure
  • Pset_Tolerance
    • ToleranceDescription
    • ToleranceBasis
    • OverallTolerance
    • HorizontalTolerance
    • OrthogonalTolerance
    • VerticalTolerance
    • PlanarFlatness
    • HorizontalFlatness
    • ElevationalFlatness
    • SideFlatness
    • OverallOrthogonality
    • HorizontalOrthogonality
    • OrthogonalOrthogonality
    • VerticalOrthogonality
    • OverallStraightness
    • HorizontalStraightness
    • OrthogonalStraightness
    • VerticalStraightness
  • Pset_Uncertainty
    • UncertaintyBasis
    • UncertaintyDescription
    • HorizontalUncertainty
    • LinearUncertainty
    • OrthogonalUncertainty
    • VerticalUncertainty
  • Pset_Warranty
    • WarrantyIdentifier
    • WarrantyStartDate
    • IsExtendedWarranty
    • WarrantyPeriod
    • WarrantyContent
    • PointOfContact
    • Exclusions
  • Qto_BodyGeometryValidation
    • GrossSurfaceArea
    • NetSurfaceArea
    • GrossVolume
    • NetVolume
    • SurfaceGenusBeforeFeatures
    • SurfaceGenusAfterFeatures
  • Qto_ColumnBaseQuantities
    • Length
    • CrossSectionArea
    • OuterSurfaceArea
    • GrossSurfaceArea
    • NetSurfaceArea
    • GrossVolume
    • NetVolume
    • GrossWeight
    • NetWeight

6.1.3.10.6 Concept usage

Concept Usage Description
IfcRoot (2)
IfcObjectDefinition (9)
IfcObject (5)
IfcProduct (18)
IfcElement (44)
IfcBuiltElement (3)
Click to show 81 hidden inherited concepts
IfcColumn (11)
Axis 3D Geometry General

The axis representation can be used to represent the fundamental orientation and extents of a column's body.

If an IfcMaterialProfileSetUsage is used, the axis representation is used to locate the profile. In addition:

As shown in Figure 6.1.3.10.D, the axis shall be defined along the z axis of the object coordinate system.

Axis
Figure 6.1.3.10.D — Column axis representation

As shown in Figure 6.1.3.10.E, the axis representation must be positioned at the IfcMaterialProfileSetUsage.CardinalPoint, and parallel to the IfcExtrudedAreaSolid.ExtrudedDirection. This offset between the axis line and the IfcExtrudedAreaSolid.Position must correlate with the chosen IfcMaterialProfileSetUsage.CardinalPoint.

Axis
Figure 6.1.3.10.E — Column axis cardinal point
Body AdvancedSweptSolid Geometry General
Body Clipping Geometry General

Figure 6.1.3.10.F illustrates a 'Clipping' geometric representation with use of IfcBooleanClippingResult between an IfcExtrudedAreaSolid and an IfcHalfSpaceSolid to create a clipped body.

advanced column
Figure 6.1.3.10.F — Column clipping
Body SweptSolid Geometry General

Figure 6.1.3.10.G illustrates a 'SweptSolid' geometric representation. There are no restrictions or conventions on how to use the object placement (black), extrusion placement (red) and profile placement (green).

standard column
Figure 6.1.3.10.G — Column swept solid

Figure 6.1.3.10.H illustrates use of a special profile type (here IfcIShapeProfileDef) for the definition of the IfcExtrudedAreaSolid.

advanced column
Figure 6.1.3.10.H — Column extrusion of I-Shape
Material Profile Set Usage General

Figure 6.1.3.10.I illustrates assignment of IfcMaterialProfileSetUsage and IfcMaterialProfileSet to the IfcColumnType and the IfcColumn occurrence. Both the IfcMaterialProfileSet and IfcProfileDef is shared between all occurrences.

Material profile set and usage
Figure 6.1.3.10.I — Column profile usage

Figure 6.1.3.10.J illustrates cardinal point alignment. The use of IfcCardinalPointEnum must be consistent with the placement of the extrusion body provided by IfcExtrudedAreaSolid.Position.

Cardinal point usage
Figure 6.1.3.10.J — Column cardinal points

Figure 6.1.3.10.K illustrates assignment of a composite profile by using IfcCompositeProfileDef for geometric representation and several IfcMaterialProfile entities within the IfcMaterialProfileSet.

Material profile set and usage
Figure 6.1.3.10.K — Column composite profiles
Object Typing General

This concept can be applied to the following resources:

Product Assignment General

This concept can be applied to the following resources:

Property Sets for Objects General

This concept can be applied to the following resources:

Quantity Sets General

This concept can be applied to the following resources:

Spatial Containment General

The IfcColumn, as any subtype of IfcBuiltElement, may participate alternatively in one of the two different containment relationships:

  • the Spatial Containment (defined here), or
  • the Element Composition.
Material Set General

This concept can be applied to the following resources:

  • LoadBearing
Table 6.1.3.10.S

6.1.3.10.7 Examples

6.1.3.10.8 Formal representation

ENTITY IfcColumn
SUBTYPE OF (IfcBuiltElement);
PredefinedType : OPTIONAL IfcColumnTypeEnum;
WHERE
CorrectPredefinedType : NOT(EXISTS(PredefinedType)) OR
(PredefinedType <> IfcColumnTypeEnum.USERDEFINED) OR
((PredefinedType = IfcColumnTypeEnum.USERDEFINED) AND EXISTS (SELF\IfcObject.ObjectType));
CorrectTypeAssigned : (SIZEOF(IsTypedBy) = 0) OR
('IFC4X3_DEV_54a9de1b.IFCCOLUMNTYPE' IN TYPEOF(SELF\IfcObject.IsTypedBy[1].RelatingType));
END_ENTITY;

6.1.3.10.9 References

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6.1.3.10.10 Changelog

6.1.3.10.10.1 IFC4

  • attribute, PredefinedType
  • where rule, CorrectPredefinedType
  • where rule, CorrectTypeAssigned

6.1.3.10.10.2 IFC4.3_DEV_54a9de1b