IFC 4.3.2.20250327 (IFC4X3_ADD2) under development

6.1.3.41 IfcWall

6.1.3.41.1 Semantic definition

The wall represents a vertical construction that may bound or subdivide spaces. Wall are usually vertical, or nearly vertical, planar elements, often designed to bear structural loads. A wall is however not required to be load bearing.

A wall may have openings, such as wall openings, openings used for windows or doors, or niches and recesses. They are defined by an IfcOpeningElement attached to the wall using the inverse relationship HasOpenings pointing to IfcRelVoidsElement. Walls with openings that have already been modeled within the enclosing geometry may use the relationship IfcRelConnectsElements to associate the wall with embedded elements such as doors and windows.

There are two main representations for all occurrences:

  • IfcWall with IfcMaterialLayerSetUsage is used for all occurrences of walls, that have a non-changing thickness along the wall path and where the thickness parameter can be fully described by a material layer set. These walls are always represented geometrically by an 'Axis' and a 'SweptSolid' shape representation (or by a 'Clipping' geometry based on 'SweptSolid'), if a 3D geometric representation is assigned.

  • IfcWall without IfcMaterialLayerSetUsage is used for all other occurrences of wall, particularly for walls with changing thickness along the wall path (e.g. polygonal walls), or walls with a non-rectangular cross sections (e.g. L-shaped retaining walls), and walls having an extrusion axis that is unequal to the global Z axis of the project (i.e. non-vertical walls), or walls having only 'Brep', or 'SurfaceModel' geometry, or if a more parametric representation is not intended.

6.1.3.41.2 Entity inheritance

6.1.3.41.3 Attributes

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

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

Table 6.1.3.41.P

6.1.3.41.4 Formal propositions

Name Description
CorrectPredefinedType

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

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

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

(SIZEOF(IsTypedBy) = 0) OR
('IFC4X3_DEV_738df036.IFCWALLTYPE' IN TYPEOF(SELF\IfcObject.IsTypedBy[1].RelatingType))
Table 6.1.3.41.Q

6.1.3.41.5 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_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_ReinforcementBarPitchOfWall
    • Description
    • Reference
    • BarAllocationType
    • VerticalBarPitch
    • HorizontalBarPitch
    • SpacingBarPitch
  • Pset_RepairOccurrence
    • RepairContent
    • RepairDate
    • MeanTimeToRepair
  • Pset_Risk
    • RiskName
    • RiskType
    • NatureOfRisk
    • RiskAssessmentMethodology
    • UnmitigatedRiskLikelihood
    • UnmitigatedRiskConsequence
    • UnmitigatedRiskSignificance
    • MitigationPlanned
    • MitigatedRiskLikelihood
    • MitigatedRiskConsequence
    • MitigatedRiskSignificance
    • MitigationProposed
    • AssociatedProduct
    • AssociatedActivity
    • AssociatedLocation
  • Pset_RoadGuardElement PARAPET
    • IsMoveable
    • IsTerminal
    • IsTransition
    • TerminalType
  • 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_WallCommon
    • Reference
    • Status
    • AcousticRating
    • FireRating
    • Combustible
    • SurfaceSpreadOfFlame
    • ThermalTransmittance
    • IsExternal
    • LoadBearing
    • ExtendToStructure
    • Compartmentation
  • Pset_Warranty
    • WarrantyIdentifier
    • WarrantyStartDate
    • IsExtendedWarranty
    • WarrantyPeriod
    • WarrantyContent
    • PointOfContact
    • Exclusions
  • Qto_BodyGeometryValidation
    • GrossSurfaceArea
    • NetSurfaceArea
    • GrossVolume
    • NetVolume
    • SurfaceGenusBeforeFeatures
    • SurfaceGenusAfterFeatures
  • Qto_WallBaseQuantities
    • Length
    • Width
    • Height
    • GrossFootPrintArea
    • NetFootPrintArea
    • GrossSideArea
    • NetSideArea
    • GrossVolume
    • NetVolume
    • GrossWeight
    • NetWeight

6.1.3.41.6 Concept usage

Concept Usage Description
IfcRoot (2)
IfcObjectDefinition (9)
IfcObject (5)
IfcProduct (18)
IfcElement (44)
IfcBuiltElement (3)
Click to show 81 hidden inherited concepts
IfcWall (15)
Axis 2D Geometry General

The wall axis is represented by a two-dimensional open curve within a particular shape representation. The 'Axis' shape representation is only used to locate the material layer set along the axis, if the IfcMaterialLayerSetUsage is applied to the IfcWall. In this case, the wall axis is used to apply the material layer set usage parameter to the wall geometry.

straight wall axis
Figure 6.1.3.41.D — Wall axis straight

Figure 6.1.3.41.D illustrates an axis representation for a straight wall. In case of a straight wall, the set of items shall include a single geometric representation item of type IfcPolyline or IfcTrimmedCurve with the BasisCurve being an IfcLine. The IfcPolyline or IfcTrimmedCurve shall be parallel (here in a special case co-linear) to the x-axis of the object coordinate system. The direction shall be identical to the direction of the x-axis.

curved wall axis
Figure 6.1.3.41.E — Wall axis curved

Figure 6.1.3.41.E illustrates an axis representation for a curved wall. In case of a curved wall, the set of items shall include a single geometric representation item of type IfcTrimmedCurve. The curve shall have a BasisCurve of type IfcCircle. The tangent of the IfcTrimmedCurve shall be parallel at start to the x-axis of the object coordinate system. The direction shall be identical to the direction of the x-axis.

Body Clipping Geometry General

The following additional constraints apply to the 'SweptSolid' representation, when an IfcMaterialLayerSetUsage is assigned to the IfcSlab:

Figure 6.1.3.41.F illustrates a clipping for a straight wall using an IfcPolygonalBoundedHalfSpace as SecondOperand in the IfcBooleanClippingResult.

straight wall clipping
Figure 6.1.3.41.F — Wall body clipping straight

Figure 6.1.3.41.G illustrates a clipping for a curved wall using an IfcHalfSpaceSolid as SecondOperand in the IfcBooleanClippingResult.

curved wall clipping
Figure 6.1.3.41.G — Wall body clipping curved
Body SweptSolid Geometry General

The following additional constraints apply to the 'SweptSolid' representation:

Additional constraints apply to the 'SweptSolid' representation, when an IfcMaterialLayerSetUsage is used:

  • Extrusion: The profile shall be extruded vertically, i.e., in the direction of the z-axis of the coordinate system of the referred spatial structure element. It might be further constraint to be in the direction of the global z-axis in implementers agreements. The extrusion axis shall be perpendicular to the swept profile, i.e. pointing into the direction of the z-axis of the Position of the IfcExtrudedAreaSolid.

The profile of a wall is described in the ground view and extruded vertically. The profile (also identical with the foot print of the wall) is defined by the IfcArbitraryClosedProfileDef (excluding its subtypes). The profile is given with all wall connections already resolved.

Figure 6.1.3.41.H illustrates a body representation for a straight wall. In case of a straight wall, the two sides of the profile shall be parallel to the wall axis, that is, the wall has a single unchanged thickness.

straight wall body
Figure 6.1.3.41.H — Wall body extrusion straight

Figure 6.1.3.41.I illustrates a body representation for a curved wall. In case of a curved wall, the two sides of the profile shall be parallel (with defined offset) to the wall axis, that is, the wall has a single unchanged thickness.

curved wall body
Figure 6.1.3.41.I — Wall body extrusion curved
Element Decomposition General

A wall may decomposed into parts such as framing and panels on each side. For efficiency, each part may reuse geometry using the mapped geometry concept.

voiding
Figure 6.1.3.41.J — A wall decomposed into parts.

This concept can be applied to the following resources:

Element Voiding General

As shown in Figure 6.1.3.41.K, openings within the composite wall are directly assigned to IfcWall using IfcRelVoidsElement pointing to IfcOpeningElement and apply to all aggregated parts. If individual parts have cutting and other voiding features, then the decomposed parts have a separate voiding relationship IfcRelVoidsElement pointing to IfcVoidingFeature.

dot_neato IfcWall IfcWall IfcRelVoidsElement IfcRelVoidsElement IfcRelVoidsElement->IfcWall RelatingBuildingElement IfcOpeningElement IfcOpeningElement IfcRelVoidsElement->IfcOpeningElement RelatedOpeningElement IfcRelAggregates IfcRelAggregates IfcRelAggregates->IfcWall RelatingObject IfcBuildingElementPart IfcBuildingElementPart IfcRelAggregates->IfcBuildingElementPart RelatedObjects[1] IfcRelVoidsElement2 IfcRelVoidsElement IfcRelVoidsElement2->IfcBuildingElementPart RelatingBuildingElement IfcVoidingFeature IfcVoidingFeature IfcRelVoidsElement2->IfcVoidingFeature RelatedOpeningElement
Figure 6.1.3.41.K — How individual parts being cut may be expressed.
Material Layer Set Usage General

Figure 6.1.3.41.L illustrates assignment of IfcMaterialLayerSetUsage and IfcMaterialLayerSet to the IfcWallType and the IfcWall occurrence.

Material layer set and usage
Figure 6.1.3.41.L — Wall Standard Object Typing

Figure 6.1.3.41.M illustrates material layer usage, where:

  • The reference coordinate system is the local coordinate system established by the ObjectPlacement of the IfcWall.
  • The reference axis is the axis defined by the IfcShapeRepresentation with RepresentationType='Axis' as one of the wall's representations.
  • The IfcMaterialLayerSetUsage.OffsetFromReferenceLine is given as a distance from this axis.
  • The IfcMaterialLayerSetUsage.OffsetFromReferenceLine is the distance parallel to the reference axis and always within the base (XY) plane of the reference coordinate system. A positive value of IfcMaterialLayerSetUsage.OffsetFromReferenceLine would then point into the positive y-axis of the reference coordinate system.
  • The IfcMaterialLayerSetUsage.DirectionSense defines how the IfcMaterialLayer's are assigned to the reference axis. POSITIVE means in direction to the positive y-axis of the reference coordinate system.
  • The Thickness of each IfcMaterialLayer is provided starting from the OffsetFromReferenceLine and in the direction given by DirectionSense. It is applied without any gap or overlap between two consecutive layers. The TotalThickness of the IfcMaterialLayerSet is the sum of all layer thicknesses.
  • The IfcMaterialLayerSetUsage.LayerSetDirection is always AXIS2.
  • 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.
wall material layer set
Figure 6.1.3.41.M — Wall material layers
Object Typing General

This concept can be applied to the following resources:

Path Connectivity General

This concept can be applied to the following resources:

  • IfcWall - Walls with equal or lower priority are connected at RelatedElement.
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 IfcWall, 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 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).

Element Openings General

This concept can be applied to the following resources:

Material Set General

This concept can be applied to the following resources:

  • LoadBearing
  • Insulation
Table 6.1.3.41.R

6.1.3.41.7 Examples

6.1.3.41.8 Formal representation

ENTITY IfcWall
SUPERTYPE OF (ONEOF
(IfcWallStandardCase))
SUBTYPE OF (IfcBuiltElement);
PredefinedType : OPTIONAL IfcWallTypeEnum;
WHERE
CorrectPredefinedType : NOT(EXISTS(PredefinedType)) OR
(PredefinedType <> IfcWallTypeEnum.USERDEFINED) OR
((PredefinedType = IfcWallTypeEnum.USERDEFINED) AND EXISTS (SELF\IfcObject.ObjectType));
CorrectTypeAssigned : (SIZEOF(IsTypedBy) = 0) OR
('IFC4X3_DEV_738df036.IFCWALLTYPE' IN TYPEOF(SELF\IfcObject.IsTypedBy[1].RelatingType));
END_ENTITY;

6.1.3.41.9 References

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6.1.3.41.10 Changelog

6.1.3.41.10.1 IFC4

  • attribute, PredefinedType
  • where rule, CorrectPredefinedType
  • where rule, CorrectTypeAssigned
  • where rule, WR1

6.1.3.41.10.2 IFC4.3_DEV_738df036