5.4.3.52 IfcRelContainedInSpatialStructure

5.4.3.52.1 Semantic definition

This objectified relationship, IfcRelContainedInSpatialStructure, is used to assign elements to a certain level of the spatial project structure. Any element can only be assigned once to a certain level of the spatial structure. The question, which level is relevant for which type of element, can only be answered within the context of a particular project and might vary within the various regions.

The containment relationship of an element within a spatial structure has to be a hierarchical relationship; an element can only be contained within a single spatial structure element. The reference relationship between an element and the spatial structure need not be hierarchical; that is, an element can reference many spatial structure elements.

Predefined spatial structure elements to which elements can be assigned are

site as IfcSite
building as IfcBuilding
storey as IfcBuildingStorey
space as IfcSpace

Occurrences of the same element type can be assigned to different spatial structure elements depending on the context of the occurrence.

Figure 5.4.3.52.A shows the use of IfcRelContainedInSpatialStructure to assign a stair and two walls to two different levels within the spatial structure.

fig1 — Figure 5.4.3.52.A — Relationship for spatial structure containment

5.4.3.52.2 Entity inheritance

5.4.3.52.3 Attributes

#	Attribute	Type	Description
IfcRoot (4)
1	GlobalId	IfcGloballyUniqueId	Assignment of a globally unique identifier within the entire software world.
2	OwnerHistory	OPTIONAL IfcOwnerHistory	Assignment of the information about the current ownership of that object, including owning actor, application, local identification and information captured about the recent changes of the object, NOTE only the last modification in stored - either as addition, deletion or modification. IFC4-CHANGE The attribute has been changed to be OPTIONAL.
3	Name	OPTIONAL IfcLabel	Optional name for use by the participating software systems or users. For some subtypes of IfcRoot the insertion of the Name attribute may be required. This would be enforced by a where rule.
4	Description	OPTIONAL IfcText	Optional description, provided for exchanging informative comments.
Click to show 4 hidden inherited attributes Click to hide 4 inherited attributes
IfcRelContainedInSpatialStructure (2)
5	RelatedElements	SET [1:?] OF IfcProduct	Set of products, which are contained within this level of the spatial structure hierarchy. IFC2x-CHANGE The data type has been changed from IfcElement to IfcProduct with upward compatibility
6	RelatingStructure	IfcSpatialElement	Spatial structure element, within which the element is contained. Any element can only be contained within one element of the project spatial structure. IFC4-CHANGE The attribute RelatingStructure as been promoted to the new supertype IfcSpatialElement with upward compatibility for file based exchange.

Table 5.4.3.52.P

5.4.3.52.4 Formal propositions

Name	Description
WR31	The relationship object shall not be used to include other spatial structure elements into a spatial structure element. The hierarchy of the spatial structure is defined using IfcRelAggregates.
`SIZEOF(QUERY(temp <* RelatedElements \| 'IFC4X3.IFCSPATIALSTRUCTUREELEMENT' IN TYPEOF(temp))) = 0`

Table 5.4.3.52.Q

5.4.3.52.5 Concept usage

Concept	Usage	Description
IfcRoot (2)
Revision Control	General	Ownership, history, and merge state is captured using IfcOwnerHistory.
Software Identity	General	IfcRoot assigns the globally unique ID. In addition it may provide for a name and a description about the concept.
Click to show 2 hidden inherited concepts Click to hide 2 inherited concepts

Table 5.4.3.52.R

5.4.3.52.6 Examples

Figure 5.4.3.52.B

Georeferencing_Tin_1
Figure 5.4.3.52.C

LinearPlacement_2
Figure 5.4.3.52.D

Georeferencing_Tin_3
Figure 5.4.3.52.E

Georeferencing_Tin_4
Figure 5.4.3.52.F

Tin_2
Figure 5.4.3.52.G

Tin_4
Figure 5.4.3.52.H

Tin_3
Figure 5.4.3.52.I

Georeferencing_Tin_2
Figure 5.4.3.52.J

UT_Alignment_12d_11
Figure 5.4.3.52.K

Georeferencing_Tiny_Survey_1
Figure 5.4.3.52.L

Georeferencing_Tin_5
Figure 5.4.3.52.M

Georeferencing-1
Figure 5.4.3.52.N

LinearPlacement_1
Figure 5.4.3.52.O

Tin_1

5.4.3.52.7 Formal representation

ENTITY IfcRelContainedInSpatialStructure
 SUBTYPE OF (IfcRelConnects);
	RelatedElements : SET [1:?] OF IfcProduct;
	RelatingStructure : IfcSpatialElement;
 WHERE
	WR31 : SIZEOF(QUERY(temp <* RelatedElements | 'IFC4X3.IFCSPATIALSTRUCTUREELEMENT' IN TYPEOF(temp))) = 0;
END_ENTITY;