IFC 4.3.2.20241204 (IFC4X3_ADD2) under development

6.1.3.20 IfcPlate

6.1.3.20.1 Semantic definition

An IfcPlate is a planar and often flat part with constant thickness. A plate may carry loads between or beyond points of support, or provide stiffening. The location of the plate (being horizontal, vertical or sloped) is not relevant to its definition.

Plates are normally made of steel, other metallic material, or by glass panels. However the definition of IfcPlate is material independent and specific material information shall be handled by using IfcRelAssociatesMaterial to assign a material specification to the IfcPlate.

Plates are often add-on parts. This is represented by the IfcRelAggregates decomposition mechanism used to aggregate parts, such as IfcPlate, into a container element such as IfcElementAssembly or IfcCurtainWall.

An instance of IfcPlate should preferably get its geometric representation and material assignment through the type definition by IfcPlateType assigned using the IfcRelDefinesByType relationship. This allows identical plates in a construction to be represented by the same instance of IfcPlateType.

A plate may have openings, such as voids or recesses. They are defined by an IfcOpeningElement attached to the plate using the inverse relationship HasOpenings pointing to IfcRelVoidsElement. The position number of a plate as often used in steel construction is assigned through the attribute IfcElement.Tag

There are two main representations for plate occurrences:

  • IfcPlate with IfcMaterialLayerSetUsage is used for all occurrences of plates, that are prismatic and where the thickness parameter can be fully described by the IfcMaterialLayerSetUsage. These plates are always represented geometrically by a 'SweptSolid' geometry (or by a 'Clipping' geometry based on 'SweptSolid'), if a 3D geometric representation is assigned.
  • IfcPlate without IfcMaterialLayerSetUsage is used for all other occurrences of plates, particularly for plates with changing thickness, or plates with non planar surfaces, and plates having only 'SurfaceModel' or 'Brep' geometry or if a more parametric representation is not intended.

6.1.3.20.2 Entity inheritance

6.1.3.20.3 Attributes

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

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

Table 6.1.3.20.E

6.1.3.20.4 Formal propositions

Name Description
CorrectPredefinedType

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

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

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

(SIZEOF(IsTypedBy) = 0) OR
('IFC4X3_DEV_54a9de1b.IFCPLATETYPE' IN TYPEOF(SELF\IfcObject.IsTypedBy[1].RelatingType))
Table 6.1.3.20.H

6.1.3.20.5 Property sets

  • 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_DoorPanelProperties
    • PanelDepth
    • PanelOperation
    • PanelWidth
    • PanelPosition
  • 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_PlateCommon
    • Reference
    • Status
    • AcousticRating
    • IsExternal
    • ThermalTransmittance
    • LoadBearing
    • FireRating
  • 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_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
  • Pset_WindowPanelProperties
    • OperationType
    • PanelPosition
    • FrameDepth
    • FrameThickness
  • Qto_BodyGeometryValidation
    • GrossSurfaceArea
    • NetSurfaceArea
    • GrossVolume
    • NetVolume
    • SurfaceGenusBeforeFeatures
    • SurfaceGenusAfterFeatures
  • Qto_PlateBaseQuantities
    • Width
    • Perimeter
    • GrossArea
    • NetArea
    • GrossVolume
    • NetVolume
    • GrossWeight
    • NetWeight

6.1.3.20.6 Concept usage

Concept Usage Description
IfcRoot (2)
IfcObjectDefinition (9)
IfcObject (5)
IfcProduct (18)
IfcElement (44)
IfcBuiltElement (3)
Click to show 81 hidden inherited concepts
IfcPlate (10)
Body Clipping Geometry General

Figure 6.1.3.20.D illustrates a 'Clipping' geometric representation with definition of a plate using advanced geometric representation. The profile is extruded non-perpendicular and the plate body is clipped at the eave.

advanced plate
Figure 6.1.3.20.D — Plate body clipping
Body SweptSolid Geometry General

Figure 6.1.3.20.G illustrates a 'SweptSolid' geometric representation. The following interpretation of dimension parameter applies for polygonal plates (in ground floor view): IfcArbitraryClosedProfileDef.OuterCurve being a closed bounded curve is interpreted as area (or foot print) of the plate.

standard plate
Figure 6.1.3.20.G — Plate body extrusion
Material Layer Set Usage General

Figure 6.1.3.20.F illustrates assignment of IfcMaterialLayerSetUsage and IfcMaterialLayerSet to the IfcPlateType and the IfcPlate occurrence.

Material layer set and usage 
Figure 6.1.3.20.F — Plate type definition

Figure 6.1.3.20.G illustrates material layer usage, where:

  • The reference coordinate system is the coordinate system established by the IfcExtrudedAreaSolid.Position.
  • The reference plane is the plane defined by the extruded profile of IfcExtrudedAreaSolid.SweptSolid. The IfcMaterialLayerSetUsage.OffsetFromReferenceLine is given as a distance from this plane.
  • The IfcMaterialLayerSetUsage.DirectionSense defines how the IfcMaterialLayer's are assigned to the reference plane. POSITIVE means in direction to the positive z-axis of the reference coordinate system.
  • The IfcMaterialLayerSetUsage.OffsetFromReferenceLine is the distance parallel to the reference plane and always perpendicular to the base (XY) plane of the reference coordinate system. This is independent of a potential non-perpendicular extrusion given by IfcExtrudedAreaSolid.ExtrudedDirection <> 0.,0.,1. A positive value of IfcMaterialLayerSetUsage.OffsetFromReferenceLine would then point into the positive z-axis of the reference coordinate system.
  • The Thickness of each IfcMaterialLayer shall be the parallel distance (measured perpendicular to the base plane). The TotalThickness of the IfcMaterialLayerSet is the sum of all layer thicknesses and in case of a perpendicular extrusion identical with IfcExtrudedAreaSolid.Depth
  • The IfcMaterialLayerSetUsage.LayerSetDirection is always AXIS3.
  • The local placement of the wall uses the the x/y plane for the profile, and the z-axis as the extrusion direction for the wall body.
plate material layer set
Figure 6.1.3.20.G — Plate material layers
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 IfcPlate, 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.
Surface 3D Geometry General

The 'Surface' can be used to define a surfacic model of the building (e.g. for analytical purposes, or for reduced Level of Detail representation).

Material Set General

This concept can be applied to the following resources:

  • LoadBearing
Table 6.1.3.20.I

6.1.3.20.7 Formal representation

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

6.1.3.20.8 References

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6.1.3.20.9 Changelog

6.1.3.20.9.1 IFC4

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

6.1.3.20.9.2 IFC4.3_DEV_54a9de1b