IFC 4.3.2.20250327 (IFC4X3_ADD2) under development

6.3.3.5 IfcElementComponent

ABSTRACT This definition may not be instantiated

6.3.3.5.1 Semantic definition

An element component is a representation for minor items included in, added to or connecting to or between elements, which usually are not of interest from the overall building structure viewpoint. However, these small parts may have vital and load carrying functions within the construction. These items do not provide any actual space boundaries. Typical examples of _IfcElementComponent_s include different kinds of fasteners and various accessories.

One or several instances of subtypes of IfcElementComponent should always be accompanied by a defining instance of a respective subtype of IfcElementComponentType. The type object holds shape and material information.

It is often desirable to model a number of same-shaped element components by means of a single occurrence object, e.g. several bolts within a connection or a row of reinforcement elements. In this IFC release, this is possible by means of multiple mapped representation as documented below.

To express the multiplicity of element components also on a higher semantic level, a Qto_ElementComponentPatternQuantities should be provided via IfcRelDefinesByProperties and contain the number of pieces which are placed by a single IfcElementComponent instance.

Symbolic Representation

A symbolic representation is defined for a row of components or several rows of components within a single instance of IfcElementComponent. Such rows or arrays may contain possibly large numbers of individual pieces. The product definition shape consists of an IfcShapeRepresentation with the attribute values

  • RepresentationIdentifier : 'Row'
  • RepresentationType : 'GeometricCurveSet'

and one or several curves as geometric items. The curves represent where reference points of the pieces are located. For example, such reference points may be at the heads of mechanical fasteners or at the starting point of the extrusion axis of reinforcement bars. In case of straight components (bolts, nails, staples, straight reinforcement bars, or similar), the local placement of the IfcElementComponent shall be located and oriented such that the local z axis is parallel with the axes of the components. A Qto_ElementComponentPatternQuantities should denote the count of pieces in the row or array and their spacing.

6.3.3.5.2 Entity inheritance

6.3.3.5.3 Attributes

# Attribute Type Description
IfcRoot (4)
IfcObjectDefinition (7)
IfcObject (5)
IfcProduct (5)
Click to show 21 hidden inherited attributes
IfcElement (13)
8 Tag OPTIONAL IfcIdentifier

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 SET [0:1] OF IfcRelFillsElement FOR RelatedBuildingElement

Reference to the IfcRelFillsElement relationship that puts the element as a filling into the opening created within another element.

ConnectedTo SET [0:?] OF IfcRelConnectsElements FOR RelatingElement

Reference to the element connection relationship. The relationship then refers to the other element to which this element is connected to.

IsInterferedByElements SET [0:?] OF IfcRelInterferesElements FOR RelatedElement

Reference to the interference relationship to indicate the element that is interfered. The relationship, if provided, indicates that this element has an interference with one or many other elements.

InterferesElements SET [0:?] OF IfcRelInterferesElements FOR RelatingElement

Reference to the interference relationship to indicate the element that interferes. The relationship, if provided, indicates that this element has an interference with one or many other elements.

HasProjections SET [0:?] OF IfcRelProjectsElement FOR RelatingElement

Projection relationship that adds a feature (using a Boolean union) to the IfcBuiltElement.

HasOpenings SET [0:?] OF IfcRelVoidsElement FOR RelatingBuildingElement

Reference to the IfcRelVoidsElement relationship that creates an opening in an element. An element can incorporate zero-to-many openings. For each opening, that voids the element, a new relationship IfcRelVoidsElement is generated.

IsConnectionRealization SET [0:?] OF IfcRelConnectsWithRealizingElements FOR RealizingElements

Reference to the connection relationship with realizing element. The relationship, if provided, assigns this element as the realizing element to the connection, which provides the physical manifestation of the connection relationship.

ProvidesBoundaries SET [0:?] OF IfcRelSpaceBoundary FOR RelatedBuildingElement

Reference to space boundaries by virtue of the objectified relationship IfcRelSpaceBoundary. It defines the concept of an element bounding spaces.

ConnectedFrom SET [0:?] OF IfcRelConnectsElements FOR RelatedElement

Reference to the element connection relationship. The relationship then refers to the other element that is connected to this element.

ContainedInStructure SET [0:1] OF IfcRelContainedInSpatialStructure FOR RelatedElements

Containment relationship to the spatial structure element, to which the element is primarily associated. This containment relationship has to be hierarchical, i.e. an element may only be assigned directly to zero or one spatial structure.

HasCoverings SET [0:?] OF IfcRelCoversBldgElements FOR RelatingBuildingElement

Reference to IfcCovering by virtue of the objectified relationship IfcRelCoversBldgElements. It defines the concept of an element having coverings associated.

HasSurfaceFeatures SET [0:?] OF IfcRelAdheresToElement FOR RelatingElement

Reference to the IfcRelAdheresToElement relationship that adheres a IfcSurfaceFeature to an element. An element can incorporate zero-to-many surface features in one relationship.

Table 6.3.3.5.E

6.3.3.5.4 Property sets

  • Pset_Condition
    • AssessmentDate
    • AssessmentCondition
    • AssessmentDescription
    • AssessmentType
    • AssessmentMethod
    • LastAssessmentReport
    • NextAssessmentDate
    • AssessmentFrequency
  • Pset_ConstructionAdministration
    • ProcurementMethod
    • SpecificationSectionNumber
    • SubmittalIdentifer
  • Pset_ConstructionOccurence
    • InstallationDate
    • ModelNumber
    • TagNumber
    • AssetIdentifier
  • Pset_ElementComponentCommon
    • Reference
    • Status
    • DeliveryType
    • CorrosionTreatment
  • 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_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

6.3.3.5.5 Concept usage

Concept Usage Description
IfcRoot (2)
IfcObjectDefinition (9)
IfcObject (5)
IfcProduct (18)
IfcElement (44)
Click to show 78 hidden inherited concepts
IfcElementComponent (3)
Mapped Geometry General

The mapped item, IfcMappedItem, should be used if appropriate as it allows for reusing the geometry definition of a type at all occurrences of the same type.

A single instance of a subtype of IfcElementComponent can stand for several actual element components at once. In this case, the IfcShapeRepresentation contains as many mapped items as there are element components combined within this occurrence object.

Figure 6.3.3.5.D — Element component mapped representation

Representation identifier and type are the same as in single mapped representation. The number of mapped items in the representation corresponds with the count of element components in the IfcElementQuantity.

Property Sets for Objects General

This concept can be applied to the following resources:

Object Typing General

This concept can be applied to the following resources:

Table 6.3.3.5.F

6.3.3.5.6 Formal representation

ENTITY IfcElementComponent
ABSTRACT SUPERTYPE OF (ONEOF
(IfcBuildingElementPart
,IfcDiscreteAccessory
,IfcFastener
,IfcImpactProtectionDevice
,IfcMechanicalFastener
,IfcReinforcingElement
,IfcSign
,IfcVibrationDamper
,IfcVibrationIsolator))
SUBTYPE OF (IfcElement);
END_ENTITY;

6.3.3.5.7 References