Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) Supported Element Types

This section provides an overview of all the IFC elements currently supported by the IFC_API reader/writer.

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Supported Element Types
IfcAlignment
IfcAlignmentCant
IfcAlignmentHorizontal
IfcAlignmentSegment
IfcAlignmentVertical
IfcAnnotation
IfcBeam
IfcBearing
IfcBuilding
IfcBuildingElementPart
IfcBuildingElementProxy
IfcBuildingStorey
IfcChimney
IfcColumn
IfcCourse
IfcCovering
IfcCurtainWall
IfcDeepFoundation
IfcDoor
IfcFooting
IfcGeographicElement
IfcKerb
IfcMember
IfcRail
IfcRailing
IfcRamp
IfcRampFlight
IfcRoof
IfcSite
IfcSlab
IfcSpace
IfcStair
IfcStairFlight
IfcWindow

Element Types

Alignment

Note This element type is new to IFC 4x3 and not supported in IFC 4.

The Alignment feature type represents IfcAlignment elements in the dataset. It has the following unique attributes:

Attribute/Trait Name	Contents
ifc_predefined_type	Type of Alignment. The possible types are: USERDEFINED NOTDEFINED

Attribute/Trait Name

Contents

ifc_predefined_type

Type of Alignment. The possible types are:

USERDEFINED
NOTDEFINED

Alignment Cant

Note This element type is new to IFC 4x3 and not supported in IFC 4.

The Alignment Cant feature type represents IfcAlignmentCant elements in the dataset. It has the following unique attributes:

Attribute/Trait Name	Contents
ifc_rail_head_distance	Distance between the nominal center points of the two contact patches of wheel set and rails.

Alignment Horizontal

Note This element type is new to IFC 4x3 and not supported in IFC 4.

The Alignment Horizontal feature type represents IfcAlignmentHorizontal elements in the dataset. It does not have any unique attributes.

Alignment Segment

Note This element type is new to IFC 4x3 and not supported in IFC 4.

The Alignment Segment feature type represents IfcAlignmentSegment elements in the dataset. It has the following unique attributes:

Attribute/Trait Name	Contents
ifc_segment_type	The type of Alignment Segment, which could be ifcalignmentcantsegment, ifcalignmenthorizontalsegment, or ifcalignmentverticalsegment. Note Some attributes in the table are dependent on the selected segment type. The attributes displayed will vary based on the specific alignment segment.
ifc_start_dist_along	Distance along the horizontal alignment. Note Displayed only when segment type is ifcalignmentverticalsegment and ifcalignmentcantsegment.
ifc_horizontal_length	Total length of the segment. Note Displayed only when segment type is ifcalignmentverticalsegment and ifcalignmentcantsegment.
ifc_start_cant_left	Length of left cant at the beginning of the segment. Note Displayed only when segment type is ifcalignmentcantsegment.
ifc_end_cant_left	Length of left cant at the end of the segment. Note Displayed only when segment type is ifcalignmentcantsegment.
ifc_start_cant_right	Length of the right cant at the start of the segment. Note Displayed only when segment type is ifcalignmentcantsegment.
ifc_end_cant_right	Length of the right cant at the end of the segment. Note Displayed only when segment type is ifcalignmentcantsegment.
ifc_start_point.x	The x-coordinate of the start point of the segment. Note Displayed only when segment type is ifcalignmenthorizontalsegment.
ifc_start_point.y	The y-coordinate of the start point of the segment. Note Displayed only when segment type is ifcalignmenthorizontalsegment.
ifc_start_direction	Direction of the tangent at the start point of the alignment segment. Note Displayed only when segment type is ifcalignmenthorizontalsegment.
ifc_start_radius_of_curvature	Radius of the curvature at the start point of the segment. Note Displayed only when segment type is ifcalignmenthorizontalsegment.
ifc_segment_length	Total length of the segment along the curve. Note Displayed only when segment type is ifcalignmenthorizontalsegment.
ifc_gravity_center_line_height	Height of the gravity center line in the vertical direction. Note Displayed only when segment type is ifcalignmenthorizontalsegment.
ifc_start_height	Elevation of the start point. Note Displayed only when segment type is ifcalignmentverticalsegment.
ifc_start_gradient	Gradient of the alignment segment at the start point. Note Displayed only when segment type is ifcalignmentverticalsegment.
ifc_end_gradient	Gradient of the alignment segment at the end point. Note Displayed only when segment type is ifcalignmentverticalsegment.
ifc_radius_of_curvature	Radius of the curvature for the segment. Note Displayed only when segment type is ifcalignmentverticalsegment.
ifc_predefined_type	Type of selected Alignment Segment. The possible types are: ifcalignmentcantsegment LINE CIRCULARARC CLOTHOID COSINECURVE CUBIC HELMERTCURVE SINECURVE VIENNSEBEND ifcalignmenthorizontalsegment BLOSSCURCE CONSTANTCANT COSINECURVE HELMERTCURVE LINEARTRANSITION SINECURVE VIENNSEBEND ifcalignmentverticalsegment CONSTANTGRADIENT PARABOLICARC CIRCULARARC CLOTHOID Note Displayed for all segment types.
ifc_start_tag	Tag to annotate the start point of the alignment segment.
ifc_end_tag	Tag to annotate the end point of the alignment segment.

Alignment Vertical

Note This element type is new to IFC 4x3 and not supported in IFC 4.

The Alignment Vertical feature type represents IfcAlignmentVertical elements in the dataset. It does not have any unique attributes.

Annotation

The Annotation feature type represents IfcAnnotation elements in the dataset. It has the following unique attributes:

Attribute/Trait Name	Contents
ifc_predefined_type	Type of Annotation. The possible types are: CONTOURLINE DIMENSION ISOBAR ISOLUX ISOTHERM LEADER SURVEY SYMBOL TEXT USERDEFINED NOTDEFINED

Attribute/Trait Name

Contents

ifc_predefined_type

Type of Annotation. The possible types are:

CONTOURLINE
DIMENSION
ISOBAR
ISOLUX
ISOTHERM
LEADER
SURVEY
SYMBOL
TEXT
USERDEFINED
NOTDEFINED

Beam

The Beam feature type represents IfcBeam elements in the dataset. It has the following unique attributes:

Attribute/Trait Name	Contents
ifc_predefined_type	Type of Beam. The possible types are: BEAM CORNICE DIAPHRAGM EDGEBEAM GIRDER_SEGMENT HATSTONE HOLLOWCORE JOIST LINTEL PIERCAP SPANDREL T_BEAM USERDEFINED NOTDEFINED

Attribute/Trait Name

Contents

ifc_predefined_type

Type of Beam. The possible types are:

BEAM
CORNICE
DIAPHRAGM
EDGEBEAM
GIRDER_SEGMENT
HATSTONE
HOLLOWCORE
JOIST
LINTEL
PIERCAP
SPANDREL
T_BEAM
USERDEFINED
NOTDEFINED

Bearing

Note This element type is new to IFC 4x3 and not supported in IFC 4.

The Bearing feature type represents IfcBearing elements in the dataset. It has the following unique attributes:

Attribute/Trait Name	Contents
ifc_predefined_type	Type of Bearing. The possible types are: CYLINDRICAL DISK ELASTOMERIC GUIDE POT ROCKER ROLLER SPHERICAL USERDEFINED NOTDEFINED

Attribute/Trait Name

Contents

ifc_predefined_type

Type of Bearing. The possible types are:

CYLINDRICAL
DISK
ELASTOMERIC
GUIDE
POT
ROCKER
ROLLER
SPHERICAL
USERDEFINED
NOTDEFINED

Building

The Building feature type represents IfcBuilding elements in the dataset. It does not have any unique attributes.

Building Element Part

The Building Element Part feature type represents IfcBuildingElementPart elements in the dataset. It does not have any unique attributes.

Building Element Proxy

The Building Element Proxy feature type represents IfcBuildingElementProxy elements in the dataset. It has the following unique attributes:

Attribute/Trait Name	Contents
ifc_predefined_type	Type of Building Element Proxy. The possible types are: COMPLEX ELEMENT PARTIAL PROVISIONFORSPACE PROVISIONFORVOID USERDEFINED NOTDEFINED

Attribute/Trait Name

Contents

ifc_predefined_type

Type of Building Element Proxy. The possible types are:

COMPLEX
ELEMENT
PARTIAL
PROVISIONFORSPACE
PROVISIONFORVOID
USERDEFINED
NOTDEFINED

Building Storey

The Building Storey feature type represents IfcBuildingStorey elements in the dataset. It has the following unique attributes:

Attribute/Trait Name	Contents
ifc_elevation	Represents the vertical position of the storey's base relative to the building’s internal 0.00 reference level.

Chimney

The Chimney feature type represents IfcChimney elements in the dataset. It has the following unique attributes:

Attribute/Trait Name	Contents
ifc_predefined_type	Type of Chimney. The possible types of chimney are: USERDEFINED NOTDEFINED

Attribute/Trait Name

Contents

ifc_predefined_type

Type of Chimney. The possible types of chimney are:

USERDEFINED
NOTDEFINED

Column

The Column feature type represents IfcColumn elements in the dataset. It has the following unique attributes:

Attribute/Trait Name	Contents
ifc_predefined_type	Type of Column. The possible types are: COLUMN PIERSTEM PIERSTEM_SEGMENT PILASTER STANDCOLUMN USERDEFINED NOTDEFINED

Attribute/Trait Name

Contents

ifc_predefined_type

Type of Column. The possible types are:

COLUMN
PIERSTEM
PIERSTEM_SEGMENT
PILASTER
STANDCOLUMN
USERDEFINED
NOTDEFINED

Course

Note This element type is new to IFC 4x3 and not supported in IFC 4.

The Course feature type represents IfcCourse elements in the dataset. It has the following unique attributes:

Attribute/Trait Name	Contents
ifc_predefined_type	Type of Course. The possible types are: ARMOUR BALLASTBED CORE FILTER PAVEMENT PROTECTION USERDEFINED NOTDEFINED

Attribute/Trait Name

Contents

ifc_predefined_type

Type of Course. The possible types are:

ARMOUR
BALLASTBED
CORE
FILTER
PAVEMENT
PROTECTION
USERDEFINED
NOTDEFINED

Covering

The Covering feature type represents IfcCovering elements in the dataset. It has the following unique attributes:

Attribute/Trait Name	Contents
ifc_predefined_type	Type of Covering. The possible types are: CEILING CLADDING COPING FLOORING INSULATION MEMBRANE MOLDING ROOFING SKIRTINGBOARD SLEEVING TOPPING WRAPPING USERDEFINED NOTDEFINED

Attribute/Trait Name

Contents

ifc_predefined_type

Type of Covering. The possible types are:

CEILING
CLADDING
COPING
FLOORING
INSULATION
MEMBRANE
MOLDING
ROOFING
SKIRTINGBOARD
SLEEVING
TOPPING
WRAPPING
USERDEFINED
NOTDEFINED

Curtain Wall

The Curtain Wall feature type represents IfcCurtainWall elements in the dataset. It has the following unique attributes:

Attribute/Trait Name	Contents
ifc_predefined_type	Type of Curtain Wall. The possible types are : USERDEFINED NOTDEFINED

Attribute/Trait Name

Contents

ifc_predefined_type

Type of Curtain Wall. The possible types are :

USERDEFINED
NOTDEFINED

Deep Foundation

Note This element type is new to IFC 4x3 and not supported in IFC 4.

The Deep Foundation feature type represents IfcDeepFoundation elements in the dataset. It does not have any unique attributes.

Door

The Door feature type represents IfcDoor elements in the dataset. It has the following unique attributes:

Attribute/Trait Name	Contents
ifc_overall_height	Height of the door.
ifc_overall_width	Width of the door.
ifc_predefined_type	Type of Door. The possible types are: BOOM_BARRIER DOOR GATE TRAPDOOR TURNSTILE USERDEFINED NOTDEFINED
ifc_operation_type	Defines the general layout and operation of the door type, including the partitioning of panels and the respective panel operations. DOUBLE_DOOR_DOUBLE_SWING DOUBLE_DOOR_FOLDING DOUBLE_DOOR_LIFTING_VERTICAL DOUBLE_DOOR_SINGLE_SWING DOUBLE_DOOR_SINGLE_SWING_OPPOSITE_LEFT DOUBLE_DOOR_SINGLE_SWING_OPPOSITE_RIGHT DOUBLE_DOOR_SLIDING DOUBLE_SWING_LEFT DOUBLE_SWING_RIGHT FOLDING_TO_LEFT FOLDING_TO_RIGHT LIFTING_HORIZONTAL LIFTING_VERTICAL_LEFT LIFTING_VERTICAL_RIGHT REVOLVING REVOLVING_VERTICAL ROLLINGUP SINGLE_SWING_LEFT SINGLE_SWING_RIGHT SLIDING_TO_LEFT SLIDING_TO_RIGHT SWING_FIXED_LEFT SWING_FIXED_RIGHT USERDEFINED NOTDEFINED
ifc_user_defined_operation_type	Specifies the designator for a user-defined operation type.

Footing

The Footing feature type represents IfcFooting elements in the dataset. It has the following unique attributes:

Attribute/Trait Name	Contents
ifc_predefined_type	Type of Footing. The possible types are: CAISSON_FOUNDATION FOOTING_BEAM PAD_FOOTING PILE_CAP STRIP_FOOTING USERDEFINED NOTDEFINED

Attribute/Trait Name

Contents

ifc_predefined_type

Type of Footing. The possible types are:

CAISSON_FOUNDATION
FOOTING_BEAM
PAD_FOOTING
PILE_CAP
STRIP_FOOTING
USERDEFINED
NOTDEFINED

GeographicElement

The GeographicElement feature type represents IfcGeographicElement elements in the dataset. It has the following unique attributes:

Attribute/Trait Name	Contents
ifc_predefined_type	Type of GeographicElement. The possible types are: TERRAIN SOIL_BORING_POINT (IFC 4x3 only) VEGETATION (IFC 4x3 only) USERDEFINED NOTDEFINED

Attribute/Trait Name

Contents

ifc_predefined_type

Type of GeographicElement. The possible types are:

TERRAIN
SOIL_BORING_POINT (IFC 4x3 only)
VEGETATION (IFC 4x3 only)
USERDEFINED
NOTDEFINED

Kerb

Note This element type is new to IFC 4x3 and not supported in IFC 4.

The Kerb feature type represents IfcKerb elements in the dataset. It has the following unique attributes:

Attribute/Trait Name	Contents
ifc_predefined_type	Type of Kerb. The possible types are: USERDEFINED NOTDEFINED

Attribute/Trait Name

Contents

ifc_predefined_type

Type of Kerb. The possible types are:

USERDEFINED
NOTDEFINED

Member

The Member feature type represents IfcMember elements in the dataset. It has the following unique attributes:

Attribute/Trait Name	Contents
ifc_predefined_type	Type of Member. The possible types are: ARCH_SEGMENT BRACE CHORD COLLAR MEMBER MULLION PLATE POST PURLIN RAFTER STAY_CABLE STIFFENING_RIB STRINGER STRUCTURALCABLE STRUT STUD SUSPENDER SUSPENSION_CABLE TIEBAR USERDEFINED NOTDEFINED

Attribute/Trait Name

Contents

ifc_predefined_type

Type of Member. The possible types are:

ARCH_SEGMENT
BRACE
CHORD
COLLAR
MEMBER
MULLION
PLATE
POST
PURLIN
RAFTER
STAY_CABLE
STIFFENING_RIB
STRINGER
STRUCTURALCABLE
STRUT
STUD
SUSPENDER
SUSPENSION_CABLE
TIEBAR
USERDEFINED
NOTDEFINED

Rail

The Rail feature type represents IfcRail elements in the dataset. It has the following unique attributes:

Attribute/Trait Name	Contents
ifc_predefined_type	Type of Rail. The possible types are: BLADE CHECKRAIL GUARDRAIL RACKRAIL RAIL STOCKRAIL USERDEFINED NOTDEFINED

Attribute/Trait Name

Contents

ifc_predefined_type

Type of Rail. The possible types are:

BLADE
CHECKRAIL
GUARDRAIL
RACKRAIL
RAIL
STOCKRAIL
USERDEFINED
NOTDEFINED

Railing

The Railing feature type represents IfcRailing elements in the dataset. It has the following unique attributes:

Attribute/Trait Name	Contents
ifc_predefined_type	Type of Railing. The possible types are: BALUSTRADE FENCE GUARDRAIL HANDRAIL USERDEFINED NOTDEFINED

Attribute/Trait Name

Contents

ifc_predefined_type

Type of Railing. The possible types are:

BALUSTRADE
FENCE
GUARDRAIL
HANDRAIL
USERDEFINED
NOTDEFINED

Ramp

The Ramp feature type represents IfcRamp elements in the dataset. It has the following unique attributes:

Attribute/Trait Name	Contents
ifc_predefined_type	Type of Ramp. The possible types are: HALF_TURN_RAMP QUARTER_TURN_RAMP SPIRAL_RAMP STRAIGHT_RUN_RAMP TWO_QUARTER_TURN_RAMP TWO_STRAIGHT_RUN_RAMP USERDEFINED NOTDEFINED

Attribute/Trait Name

Contents

ifc_predefined_type

Type of Ramp. The possible types are:

HALF_TURN_RAMP
QUARTER_TURN_RAMP
SPIRAL_RAMP
STRAIGHT_RUN_RAMP
TWO_QUARTER_TURN_RAMP
TWO_STRAIGHT_RUN_RAMP
USERDEFINED
NOTDEFINED

Ramp Flight

The Ramp Flight feature type represents IfcRampFlight elements in the dataset. It has the following unique attributes:

Attribute/Trait Name	Contents
ifc_predefined_type	Type of Ramp Flight. The possible types are: SPIRAL STRAIGHT USERDEFINED NOTDEFINED

Attribute/Trait Name

Contents

ifc_predefined_type

Type of Ramp Flight. The possible types are:

SPIRAL
STRAIGHT
USERDEFINED
NOTDEFINED

Roof

The Roof feature type represents IfcRoof elements in the dataset. It has the following unique attributes:

Attribute/Trait Name	Contents
ifc_predefined_type	Type of Roof. The possible types are: BARREL_ROOF BUTTERFLY_ROOF DOME_ROOF FLAT_ROOF FREEFORM GABLE_ROOF GAMBREL_ROOF HIPPED_GABLE_ROOF HIP_ROOF MANSARD_ROOF PAVILION_ROOF RAINBOW_ROOF SHED_ROOF USERDEFINED NOTDEFINED

Attribute/Trait Name

Contents

ifc_predefined_type

Type of Roof. The possible types are:

BARREL_ROOF
BUTTERFLY_ROOF
DOME_ROOF
FLAT_ROOF
FREEFORM
GABLE_ROOF
GAMBREL_ROOF
HIPPED_GABLE_ROOF
HIP_ROOF
MANSARD_ROOF
PAVILION_ROOF
RAINBOW_ROOF
SHED_ROOF
USERDEFINED
NOTDEFINED

Site

The Site feature type represents IfcSite elements in the dataset. It has the following unique attributes:

Attribute/Trait Name	Contents
ifc_ref_latitude	Specifies the world latitude at the reference point.
ifc_ref_longitude	Specifies the world longitude at the reference point.
ifc_ref_elevation	Represents the datum elevation relative to sea level.
ifc_land_title_number	Specifies Land title number. Note This property has been deprecated in IFC 4x3. When writing to IFC 4x3, this attribute will be written as the Pset_LandRegistration.

Slab

The Slab feature type represents IfcSlab elements in the dataset. It has the following unique attributes:

Attribute/Trait Name	Contents
ifc_predefined_type	Type of Slab. The possible types are: APPROACH_SLAB BASESLAB FLOOR LANDING PAVING ROOF SIDEWALK TRACKSLAB WEARING USERDEFINED NOTDEFINED

Attribute/Trait Name

Contents

ifc_predefined_type

Type of Slab. The possible types are:

APPROACH_SLAB
BASESLAB
FLOOR
LANDING
PAVING
ROOF
SIDEWALK
TRACKSLAB
WEARING
USERDEFINED
NOTDEFINED

Space

The Space feature type represents IfcSpace elements in the dataset. It has the following unique attributes:

Attribute/Trait Name	Contents
ifc_predefined_type	Type of Space. The possible types are: BERTH EXTERNAL GFA INTERNAL PARKING SPACE USERDEFINED NOTDEFINED
ifc_elevation_with_flooring (Reader only)	Level of flooring of the space.

Attribute/Trait Name

Contents

ifc_predefined_type

Type of Space. The possible types are:

BERTH
EXTERNAL
GFA
INTERNAL
PARKING
SPACE
USERDEFINED
NOTDEFINED

ifc_elevation_with_flooring (Reader only)

Level of flooring of the space.

Stair

The Stair feature type represents IfcStair elements in the dataset. It has the following unique attributes:

Attribute/Trait Name	Contents
ifc_predefined_type	Type of Stair. The possible types are: CURVED_RUN_STAIR DOUBLE_RETURN_STAIR HALF_TURN_STAIR HALF_WINDING_STAIR LADDER QUARTER_TURN_STAIR QUARTER_WINDING_STAIR SPIRAL_STAIR STRAIGHT_RUN_STAIR THREE_QUARTER_TURN_STAIR THREE_QUARTER_WINDING_STAIR TWO_CURVED_RUN_STAIR TWO_QUARTER_TURN_STAIR TWO_QUARTER_WINDING_STAIR TWO_STRAIGHT_RUN_STAIR USERDEFINED NOTDEFINED

Attribute/Trait Name

Contents

ifc_predefined_type

Type of Stair. The possible types are:

CURVED_RUN_STAIR
DOUBLE_RETURN_STAIR
HALF_TURN_STAIR
HALF_WINDING_STAIR
LADDER
QUARTER_TURN_STAIR
QUARTER_WINDING_STAIR
SPIRAL_STAIR
STRAIGHT_RUN_STAIR
THREE_QUARTER_TURN_STAIR
THREE_QUARTER_WINDING_STAIR
TWO_CURVED_RUN_STAIR
TWO_QUARTER_TURN_STAIR
TWO_QUARTER_WINDING_STAIR
TWO_STRAIGHT_RUN_STAIR
USERDEFINED
NOTDEFINED

Stair Flight

The Stair Flight feature type represents IfcStairFlight elements in the dataset. It has the following unique attributes:

Attribute/Trait Name	Contents
ifc_number_of_risers	Number of Risers. Note This property has been deprecated in IFC 4 and above. When writing, this attribute will be written as the Pset_StairFlightCommon.NumberOfRisers.
ifc_number_of_treads	Number of Treads. Note This property has been deprecated in IFC 4 and above. When writing, this attribute will be written as the Pset_StairFlightCommon.NumberOfTreads.
ifc_riser_height	Riser height. Note This property has been deprecated in IFC 4 and above. When writing, this attribute will be written as the Pset_StairFlightCommon.RiserHeight.
ifc_tread_length	Tread length. Note This property has been deprecated in IFC 4 and above. When writing, this attribute will be written as the Pset_StairFlightCommon.TreadLength.
ifc_predefined_type	Type of Stair Flight. The possible types are: CURVED FREEFORM SPIRAL STRAIGHT WINDER USERDEFINED NOTDEFINED

Window

The Window feature type represents IfcWindow elements in the dataset. It has the following unique attributes:

Attribute/Trait Name	Contents
ifc_overall_height	Height of the window.
ifc_overall_width	Width of the window.
ifc_partitioning_type	Layout type of the window in terms of partitioning of panels. The possible types are: DOUBLE_PANEL_HORIZONTAL DOUBLE_PANEL_VERTICAL SINGLE_PANEL TRIPLE_PANEL_BOTTOM TRIPLE_PANEL_HORIZONTAL TRIPLE_PANEL_LEFT TRIPLE_PANEL_RIGHT TRIPLE_PANEL_TOP TRIPLE_PANEL_VERTICAL USERDEFINED NOTDEFINED
ifc_predefined_type	Type of Window. The possible types are: LIGHTDOME SKYLIGHT WINDOW USERDEFINED NOTDEFINED
ifc_related_opening_element_id	Global Id of the Opening related to the window.