Ifc Interface
Ifc Interface
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Geometry 25
Material table 26
National code 26
Import procedure 26
Export dialog 26
Project settings 27
Export entities 27
1D members 27
2D members 28
1D reinforcement 28
2D reinforcement 28
Tendons 28
Export procedure 28
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IFC file format extension
Import
Go to File > Import > IFC2x3.
Export
Go to File > Export > IFC 2x3 Compressed.
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Chapter 1
Shape representations
Each element which is graphically displayed has at least one shape representation. In Scia Engineer only the first one is
taken into account during import. The main supported Solid model shape representation is following:
SweptSolid
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IFC file format extension
Brep
CSG
Clipping
AdvancedSweptSolid
SectionedSpine
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Chapter 1
MappedRepresentation
Supported elements
Building storeys
The current Scia Engineer version fully supports export and import of building storeys. If storeys are defined in a project then
all members are assigned to the storey in which they are located. If a member is allocated in more storeys then it is exported
only to the first one. If a member is allocated to no storey, then it is assigned to the building itself. In case no storey exists in
the project, no building storey is exported to the IFC file and all members are assigned to the building.
During import to Scia Engineer native storeys are generated using the elevations defined in the IFC file. If no elevation is
defined then storeys are generated using the placement defined in the IFC file. In case building storeys are mixed with
defined and non-defined elevations the result may be unexpected.
Line grid
Only circular and rectangular 2D line grid and rectangular 3D line grid are exported. The rectangular 3D line grid is exported
as a set of 2D line grids because the IFC file format does not support 3D grid. Import of line grids is not supported.
CAD layer
Scia Engineer supports export and import of CAD layer for many elements. The following table says the rules:
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IFC file format extension
All elements mentioned in the table above are exported with coloured geometric presentation. The colour is by defined
layer.
Material
If the material names in an IFC file are not in accordance with code names it is necessary to define a material conversion
table in the Import dialogue. For the first opening of a file with defined material table there is button [Choose file…]. For fol-
lowing modifications, button [Edit] is available. The file has *.con file extension and it is a plain text file, for example:
[materials]
;
Concrete1=C12/15
Concrete2=C25/30
The first name is the name of material in the IFC file and the second name is code name of material which is used in Scia
Engineer. It is necessary to respect all characters.
1D members
For export of beams and columns Scia Engineersupports SweptSolid, Clipping, SectionedSpine representation and Brep.
For import SweptSolid, Clipping, Brep and CSG representations are supported. In the following table on the left side there
is a list of 1D member geometry shape in Scia Engineer and on the right side a list of supported representations for the par-
ticular geometry shape.
If a beam has a chamfer Ry or Rz defined in the structure model then the beam is exported
with Clipping representation.
The default rules for import of entities with different representations are the following:.
The following table defines rules for export and import of 1D members with different CAD type.
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Chapter 1
import to
CAD type in Scia Engineer exported to IFC Scia
Engineer
general IfcMember, object type member general
beam IfcBeam beam
column IfcColumn column
gable column IfcColumn column
secondary column IfcColumn column
rafter IfcMember, object type rafter rafter
purlin IfcMember, object type purlin purlin
wall bra-
roof bracing IfcMember, object type brace
cing
wall bra-
wall bracing IfcMember, object type brace
cing
girt IfcMember, object type member general
truss chord IfcMember, object type member general
truss diagonal IfcMember, object type member general
beam slab IfcMember, object type member general
plate rib IfcMember, object type member general
composite beam rib IfcMember, object type member general
Supported profiles
Scia Engineer supports following IFC classes for profile definition:
IfcArbitraryClosedProfileDef
IfcArbitraryClosedProfileDefWithVoids
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IFC file format extension
IfcCompositeProfileDef
IfcDerivedProfileDef
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Chapter 1
IfcCenterLineProfileDef
Parameterized profiles
IfcAsymetricIShapeProfileDef
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IFC file format extension
IfcCShapeProfileDef
IfcCircleHollowProfileDef
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Chapter 1
IfcCircleProfileDef
IfcCraneRailAShapeProfileDef
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IFC file format extension
IfcCraneRailFShapeProfileDef
IfcIShapeProfileDef
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Chapter 1
IfcLShapeProfileDef
IfcRectangleHollowProfileDef
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IFC file format extension
IfcRectangleProfileDef
IfcTShapeProfielDef
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Chapter 1
IfcUShapeProfileDef
IfcZShapeProfileDef
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IFC file format extension
Export of profiles
Following tables gives an overview how profiles from Scia Engineer are exported.
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Chapter 1
Concrete profiles
rectangle, Ing, Tg, Lg, oval IfcArbitraryClosedProfileDef
circle IfcCircleProfileDef
Geometric Shapes
Ing IfcIShapeProfileDef
Igh, oval, Lg, X, Polygon IfcArbitraryClosedProfileDef
rectangle IfcRectangleProfileDef
circle IfcCircleProfiledef
Tg IfcTShapeProfileDef
Ug IfcUShapeProfileDef
Tube IfcCircleHollowProfileDef
Z IfcZShapeProfileDef
O IfcRectangleHolloeProfileDef
C IfcCShapeProfileDef
O asymmetric IfcArbitraryProfileDefWithVoids
Pairs
all sections IfcCompositeProfileDef
Closed
all except Polygon with hole IfcCompositeProfileDef
IfcAr-
Polygon with hole
bitraryProfileDefWithVoids
Haunched
all sections IfcCompositeProfileDef
Welded
all sections IfcCompositeProfileDef
Sheet welded
all sections IfcCompositeProfileDef
Build-in
all sections IfcCompositeProfiledef
Thin-walled geometric
I, Angle, Channel, T, full rectangular, Asymmetric I, Rolled Z, Cold formed channel section, Cold formed C section, IfcAr-
Cold formed Z section bitraryClosedProfileDef
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IFC file format extension
Pairs
IfcAr-
RHS, CHS,
bitraryProfileDefWithVoids
full circle IfcCircleProfileDef
Precast
Precast 1, Precast 3, Precast 4, Precast 5, Precast 7 IfcCompositeProfileDef
IfcAr-
Precast 2, VSTI - Precast 6
bitraryClosedProfileDef
Bridges
Slab 1, Slab 2, Double T1, Double T2, Single T,Trough cross-section, Trough gider, V-girder, I, I-girder, Haunched IfcAr-
beam or slab bitraryClosedProfileDef
T with composite deck, Trough cross-sectioon with composite deck, Trough girder with composite deck, Trough
girder with concrete fill, V-girder with composite deck, V girder with concrete fill, I with composite deck, I-girder with IfcCompositeProfileDef
composite deck
IfcAr-
Box girder, Twin box girder
bitraryProfileDefWithVoids
Composed
all sections IfcCompositeProfileDef
General
polygon, thin walled IfcArbitraryClosedProfileDef
polygon with opening IfcArbitraryProfileDefWithVoids
Numerical profiles have no surface thus they cannot be supported for model view definition CV2.0.
Import of profiles
If the name of cross-section from Profile library is found then it is linked to the Scia Engineer database automatically. The fol-
lowing table says the rules for import of profiles whose names are not recognized:
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Chapter 1
1D member opening
All openings in 1D members are exported as IfcOpeningElement with a parametric or general profile. If the repetition is set
all openings are exported as separated objects. Mapped representation is not supported in the current version.
Scia Engineer supports import of IfcOpeningElement with SweptSolid representation in 1D member with SweptSolid rep-
resentation as a native opening.
2D members
For export of straight and circular arc walls and flat plates Scia Engineersupports SweptSolid representation and Brep.
Structural shape of 2D members is not taken in account for export with SweptSolid representation. Curved walls and shells
are exported always as Brep. For import SweptSolid, Clipping, Brep and CSG representation are supported. In the fol-
lowing table on the left side there is a list of shape representations in IFC file and on the right side a brief description of the
result in Scia Engineer after import.
In the following table there is written a rule for object export and import:
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IFC file format extension
When the opening in 2D member is modelled as cut- out no opening element is exported. It means for SweptSolid rep-
resentation an entire input member is exported (without cut-outs), for Brep the correct shape (with cut-outs) is exported.
Concrete reinforcement
The default export of concrete reinforcement and free bars is by means of AdvancedSweptSolid representation. In case
user selects export as Brep all reinforcement is exported with boundary representation.
Concrete 1D member reinforcement and free bars are always exported as IfcReinforcingBar. Free bars which have
defined a repetition and stirrups are exported as one reinforcing bar with mapped items. Reinforcement 2D is always expor-
ted as IfcReinforcingMesh.
Both IfcReinforcingBar and IfcReinforcingMesh defined with AdvancedSweptSolid representation are imported into Scia
Engineer as free bars. If the reinforcing bar or mesh have defined mapped items, all mapped items with the same geometry
and distances are imported as a free bar with correct repetition. If reinforcing bar or mesh is defined as Brep then they are
imported only as general volumes.
Tendons
Internal and free tendons can be exported as AdvancedSweptSolid or Brep. For import as native Scia Engineer element
only AdvancedSweptSolid representation is supported. Tendon with Brep is imported as a general volume.
In IFC it is not possible to defined neither the number of tendon elements in a tendon nor
the number of tendons in a group. The diameter of tendon is taken from Prestressing
strand material properties. As a result, each tendon is exported with the calculated dia-
meter from the sum of the number of tendonelements in the tendon and the number of ten-
dons in the group, but during import only the diameter which is in the material properties is
taken in account (i.e. the diameter of a tendon element).
Footing
Supports of type Foundation pad are exported into IFC file as IfcFooting element. The supported representation is only
Brep. All footings are imported to Scia Engineer as general volumes.
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Chapter 1
Attributes
Scia Engineer supports export of defined attributes from service Attributes for 1D and 2D members, reinforcement, ten-
dons and footings. All attributes are exported as a property set named "User defined". Import of user defined property set is
not supported.
BIM properties
BIM properties is a new functionality which is switched on as default after IFC file import. If it is ON a new group BIM prop-
erties is shown in 1D and 2D member properties and in a general volume properties. It has two main parts. The first one is
advanced options for export of particular elements. The other one is a subgroup Attributes.
The advanced export options are different for different elements, e.g. Profile item is only for straight 1D members with
SweptSolid geometry. The element is exported using the setting in the BIM properties instead of by rules defined in the
export dialogue. If the value is set to default it means the element is exported by rules defined in the export dialogue.
ShapeRepresetation - a selection of shape representation for a particular entity which has to be exported with different
representation than it is set in export dialogue.
Profile - a selection of a way how the profile is exported. The particular beam is exported with profile type which is defined in
BIM properties instead of the global setting in the export dialogue.
IFC Entity - an option for changing object type, e.g. shell is exported as Ifcslab by default but a user wants to export it as
IfcWall.
Attributes
One of a way how to give different additional information of an entity in IFC file format is to attach “PropertySet”.“Common
Property Set” means a set of properties for particular entities which are defined in IFC2x3 specification. The name of set is
given as Pset_*Common where * is an entity for which the set is defined, e.g. Pset_BeamCommon for beams.Scia Engineer
supports “Common Property Set” for all 1D members exported as IfcBeam, IfcMember or IfcColumn, all 2D members
exported as IfcWallStandardCase of IfcSlab and all general volumes exported as IfcWall.
Import dialogue
Scia Engineer offers few options how to import an IFC model. A user can choose which objects will be imported and how. In
this chapter all options of import are described.
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IFC file format extension
Import entities
1D members - if ON all beams (IfcBeam), members (IfcMember) and columns (IfcColumn) are imported. If OFF no beam,
member or column is imported.
2D members - if ON all walls (IfcWallStandardCase and IfcWall) and slabs (IfcSlab) are imported. If OFF no wall or slab is
imported.
Reinforcement - if ON all reinforcement (IfcReinforcingBar and IfcReinforcingMesh) is imported. If OFF no reinforcement
is imported.
Tendons - if ON all tendons (IfcTendon) are imported according to setting in Tendons group. If OFF the group Tendons is
disabled and no tendon is imported.
Others - if ON all other objects (IfcFooting, IfcMechanicalFastener, IfcPlate, etc.) which are usually imported as general
volumes are imported. If OFF no other object than they are mentioned above are imported.
Tendons
as internal - all IfcTendon elements defined in IFC file are imported as Scia Engineer native internal tendons.
as free - all IfcTendon elements defined in IFC file are imported as Scia Engineer native free tendons.
Storeys
Import storeys - if ON all building storeys (IfcBuildingStorey) are imported as Scia Engineer storeys. If OFF no storey is
imported.
Geometry
as members - all supported members with SweptSolid representation are imported as Scia Engineer native objects.
as reference model - all objects are imported as general volumes.
Analysis shape only - if ON all elements are imported without clipping. If OFF a full structural shape of model is imported.
Creating of structural shape can take a lot of time. This option is recommended if a user need only model for analysis.
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Chapter 1
Run member recognizer - if ON after importing of IFC file on background a member recognizer is run and all supported
members (beams, columns, walls and slabs) which are imported as general volumes the recognizer tries to convert into nat-
ive elements. After conversion a report with a result is shown.
Material table
See explained above.
National code
As IFC file does not specify any code it is necessary to select it before the import. An actual adjusted code is displayed with a
national flag. If you want to change it press the button [Change...].
Import procedure
After confirmation of the Ifc Import Options dialogue a progress bar with number of total elements and already imported ele-
ments is shown.
On the left side there is a list of imported objects with their quantity. On the right side there is a place for errors and noti-
fications if they are any.
Export dialog
Scia Engineer offers several options how to export model to IFC file. A user can choose which objects will be exported and
how. In this chapter all options of export are described.
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IFC file format extension
Project settings
View definition - Scia Engineer currently supports only Coordination View.
Units - an option for setting a unit for length, the most common used units for export are millimetres.
Export entities
1D members - if ON all beams and columns are exported to IFC file. If OFF no beam or column is exported.
2D members - if ON all walls, plates and shells are exported to IFC file. If OFF no wall, plate or shell is exported.
General volumes - if ON all general volumes are exported to IFC file. If OFF no general volumes is exported.
Steel connections - if ON all steel connection plates and bolts are exported to IFC file. If OFF no steel connection parts or
bolts are exported.
Stiffeners - if ON all beam stiffeners are exported to IFC file. If OFF no stiffener is exported.
1D reinforcement - if ON 1D member reinforcing bars and free bars are exported to IFC file. If OFF no reinforcing bar or
free bar is exported.
2D reinforcement - if ON 2D member reinforcement is exported to IFC file. If OFF no reinforcing mesh is exported.
Tendons - if ON internal and free tendons are exported to IFC file. If OFF no tendon is exported.
Foundation pads - if ON all foundation pads are exported to IFC file. If OFF no foundation pad is exported.
Attributes - if ON IFC attributes (common property sets) and Scia Engineer attributes are exported to IFC file. If OFF no
attribute is exported.
Line grids - if ON all line grids defined in the project are exported to IFC file. If OFF no line grid is exported.
1D members
Sweptsolid - all straight prismatic beams are exported with a profile and its extrusion. If possible, the profile is exported as
parametric one.
SweptSolid, not using parametric profiles - all straight prismatic beams are exported with a profile and its extrusion. All
parametric profile are exported as closed arbitrary one.
Brep - all beams are exported as faced solids where no information about profile and length is.
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Chapter 1
Use "SectionedSpine" representation - if ON all haunched and arbitrary members are exported as solids interpolated
between two defined profiles. If OFF all haunched and arbitrary profile are exported as Brep.
2D members
SweptSolid - all 2D members are exported with their geometry and thickness.
Brep - all 2D members are exported as faced solids where no information about member dimensions is.
1D reinforcement
SweptSolid - all 1D member concrete reinforcement and free bars are exported with AdvancedSweptSolid rep-
resentation.
Brep - all 1D reinforcing bars and free bars are exported as faced solids where no information about diameter and dis-
tances between bars is.
2D reinforcement
SweptSolid - all 2D member concrete reinforcement is exported with AdvancedSweptSolid representation.
Brep - all 2D reinforcement is exported as faced solids where no information about diameter and distances between bars is.
Tendons
SweptSolid - all internal and free tendons are exported with AdvancedSweptSolid representation.
Brep - all internal and free tendons are exported as faced solids where no information about diameter and distances
between bars is.
Export procedure
After a confirmation of Ifc Export Options dialog a progress bar with number of already exported elements is shown.
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IFC file format extension
On the left side there is a list of exported objects with their quantity. On the right side there is a place for errors and noti-
fications if they are any.
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