IfcPhysicalComplexQuantity

Natural language names
Komplexe physikalische Größe
Physical Complex Quantity
Quantité physique complexe
Semantic definitions at the entity
Entity definition

The complex physical quantity, IfcPhysicalComplexQuantity, is an entity that holds a set of single quantity measure value (as defined at the subtypes of IfcPhysicalSimpleQuantity), that all apply to a given component or aspect of the element.

EXAMPLE: A layered element, like a wall, may have several material layers, each having individual quantities, like footprint area, side area and volume. An instance of IfcPhysicalComplexQuantity would group these individual quantities (given by a subtype of IfcPhysicalSimpleQuantity) and name them according to the material layer name by using the Name attribute. The Discrimination attribute would then be 'layer'.

A section "Quantity Use Definition" at individual entities as subtypes of IfcBuildingElement gives guidance to the usage of the Name and Discrimination attribute to characterize the complex quantities.

HISTORY  New entity in IFC2x2 Addendum 1.
IFC2x2 ADDENDUM 1 CHANGE  The entity IfcPhysicalComplexQuantity has been added. Upward compatibility for file based exchange is guaranteed.
Attribute definitions
#AttributeTypeCardinalityDescription G
3HasQuantitiesIfcPhysicalQuantityS[1:?] Set of physical quantities that are grouped by this complex physical quantity according to a given discrimination.X
4DiscriminationIfcLabel Identification of the discrimination by which this physical complex property is distinguished. Examples of discriminations are 'layer', 'steel bar diameter', etc.X
5QualityIfcLabel? Additional indication of a quality of the quantities that are grouped under this physical complex quantity.X
6UsageIfcLabel? Additional indication of a usage type of the quantities that are grouped under this physical complex quantity.X
Formal Propositions
RuleDescription
NoSelfReferenceThe IfcPhysicalComplexQuantity should not reference itself within the list of HasQuantities.
UniqueQuantityNamesEvery individual IfcPhysicalQuantity within the set HasQuantities shall have a unique Name attribute value.
HISTORY  New rule in IFC4
Inherited definitions from supertypes
Entity inheritance IfcPhysicalQuantity
Attribute inheritance
#AttributeTypeCardinalityDescriptionG
IfcPhysicalQuantity
1NameIfcLabel Name of the element quantity or measure. The name attribute has to be made recognizable by further agreements.X
2DescriptionIfcText? Further explanation that might be given to the quantity.X
HasExternalReferencesIfcExternalReferenceRelationship
@RelatedResourceObjects
S[0:?]Reference to an external reference, e.g. library, classification, or document information, that is associated to the quantity.
IFC4 CHANGE New inverse attribute.
X
PartOfComplexIfcPhysicalComplexQuantity
@HasQuantities
S[0:1]Reference to a physical complex quantity in which the physical quantity may be contained.X
IfcPhysicalComplexQuantity
3HasQuantitiesIfcPhysicalQuantityS[1:?] Set of physical quantities that are grouped by this complex physical quantity according to a given discrimination.X
4DiscriminationIfcLabel Identification of the discrimination by which this physical complex property is distinguished. Examples of discriminations are 'layer', 'steel bar diameter', etc.X
5QualityIfcLabel? Additional indication of a quality of the quantities that are grouped under this physical complex quantity.X
6UsageIfcLabel? Additional indication of a usage type of the quantities that are grouped under this physical complex quantity.X
Formal representations
XML Specification
 <xs:element name="IfcPhysicalComplexQuantity" type="ifc:IfcPhysicalComplexQuantity" substitutionGroup="ifc:IfcPhysicalQuantity" nillable="true"/>
 <xs:complexType name="IfcPhysicalComplexQuantity">
  <xs:complexContent>
   <xs:extension base="ifc:IfcPhysicalQuantity">
    <xs:sequence>
     <xs:element name="HasQuantities">
      <xs:complexType>
       <xs:sequence>
        <xs:element ref="ifc:IfcPhysicalQuantity" maxOccurs="unbounded"/>
       </xs:sequence>
       <xs:attribute ref="ifc:itemType" fixed="ifc:IfcPhysicalQuantity"/>
       <xs:attribute ref="ifc:cType" fixed="set"/>
       <xs:attribute ref="ifc:arraySize" use="optional"/>
      </xs:complexType>
     </xs:element>
    </xs:sequence>
    <xs:attribute name="Discrimination" type="ifc:IfcLabel" use="optional"/>
    <xs:attribute name="Quality" type="ifc:IfcLabel" use="optional"/>
    <xs:attribute name="Usage" type="ifc:IfcLabel" use="optional"/>
   </xs:extension>
  </xs:complexContent>
 </xs:complexType>
EXPRESS Specification
ENTITY IfcPhysicalComplexQuantity
 SUBTYPE OF (IfcPhysicalQuantity);
  HasQuantities : SET [1:?] OF IfcPhysicalQuantity;
  Discrimination : IfcLabel;
  Quality : OPTIONAL IfcLabel;
  Usage : OPTIONAL IfcLabel;
 WHERE
  NoSelfReference : SIZEOF(QUERY(temp <* HasQuantities | SELF :=: temp)) = 0;
  UniqueQuantityNames : IfcUniqueQuantityNames(HasQuantities);
END_ENTITY;

Link to EXPRESS-G diagram EXPRESS-G diagram

References  References: IfcPhysicalQuantity

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