The Dubai Municipality BIM Standard also requires BIM to be adopted on all large-scale construction projects in Dubai. The standard also focuses on how to achieve compatibility and communication within the project participants. The above objectives are mostly attained through the use of the IFC schema, which is used as a common exchange format for BIM data.
UG BIM tool such as Autodesk Revit has officially the IFC schema, which allows exporting and importing of IFC files. It also guarantees that the Revit models can be exported to other BIM applications with IFC compatibility thus definitely improving on interoperability.
Version: Released in 2013
Description: IFC4 is currently the new and major version of the IFC schema bringing a number of enhancements and additions over previous versions. Key enhancements include:
Extended Property Sets: More specific and large property sets for the improved information representation.
Improved Geometry: Improved existing geometry capabilities and expanded features of geometry more broadly.
New Entities: Subdivision of all primary construction elements and systems into new and more suitable to the main construction activity entities.
Data Exchange: Facilitating of the BIM process by enhancing the capacity of data sharing or compatibility between various BIM software.
Support for Building Services: Further improvements to support modeling of other building services like the MEP systems.
Use Cases: IFC4 is used in new schemes and is suggested to be utilized because of the enhanced combined functionality and the extensive range of the offered characteristics.
Version: Released in 2006
Description: The IFC2×3 form is one of the widespread versions of the IFC schema and was considered the standard for several years. Key features include:
Broad Adoption: Backed by the majority of BIM software tools; therefore, it remains one of the most popular options for data sharing.
Property Set Extensions: Enabling extension of standard application entities with specific business properties.
Improved Interoperability: Upgrade of data exchange between different software applications.
Use Cases: Many of these existing undertakings still incorporate IFC2x3 and it is still considered foremost by many of the stakeholders even if better renditions do exist.
Version: Released in 2003
Description: IFC2x2 brought the following noticeable enhancements over IFC1:
Enhanced Property Sets: Higher property sets to obtain improved details of information.
Improved Data Exchange: More integrated interface for data transfer between the multiple BIM applications.
Extended Geometry Support: Improved functionality when working with a geometry that falls outside the standard set of shapes.
Use Cases: IFC2x2 is employed for specific projects as IFC2x3 was launched after the initiation of other projects using IFC2x2.
Version: Released in 2000
Description: IFC2x marked a significant milestone in the development of the IFC schema, offering:IFC2x marked a significant milestone in the development of the IFC schema, offering:
Foundation for Future Versions: Laid a good ground work for future improvements which were incorporated in future editions.
Basic Property Sets: Implementation of property sets for recording basic information about the subject.
Improved Interoperability: First advances in increasing interoperability of various BIM applications and data exchange between them.
Use Cases: IFC2x is mostly applied as historical data and can be applied in the majority of current projects seldom.
Version: Released in 1999
Description: IFC1. 5. 1 introduced several important features, including:1 introduced several important features, including:
Entity Enhancements: Better definitions of the reference building entities.
Basic Property Handling: Initial use of property sets on entities for capturing their characteristics.
Data Exchange: The first attempts to implement the methodologies that would facilitate the sharing of data between various applications.
Use Cases: IFC1. 5. 1 is mostly irrelevant nowadays, although it was essential in the process of filling out the IFC schema.
Version: Released in 1997
Description: IFC1. 0 was the first version of the IFC schema, though it was a basic one in comparison to the later ones. Key aspects include:
Basic Entity Definitions: In this case, simple entities that characterize essential aspects of building construction are introduced.
Initial Interoperability: Some of the initial attempts that were made in ensuring that the various software tools could share information.
Foundational Concepts: Creation of conceptual structures that were to be developed in future revisions of the model.
Use Cases: IFC1. Besides, 0 is significant historically and is mainly used to refer to the development of the IFC schema.
|
IFC Schema |
Version |
Category |
Definition |
Predefined Types |
|
IFC4 |
2013 |
Latest Major Version |
IFC4 is the latest version with extended property sets, improved geometry, new entities, and enhanced data exchange capabilities. |
IfcWall, IfcDoor, IfcWindow, IfcBeam, IfcColumn, IfcSlab, IfcFooting, IfcCovering, IfcMember, IfcRamp, IfcStair, IfcBuildingElementProxy, IfcFurnishingElement, IfcFlowTerminal, IfcFlowSegment, IfcDistributionPort, IfcDistributionElement, IfcSystem |
|
IFC2x3 |
2006 |
Widely Used Standard |
IFC2x3 is a widely adopted version that supports broad interoperability and property set extensions. |
IfcWall, IfcDoor, IfcWindow, IfcBeam, IfcColumn, IfcSlab, IfcFooting, IfcCovering, IfcMember, IfcRamp, IfcStair, IfcBuildingElementProxy, IfcFurnishingElement, IfcFlowTerminal, IfcFlowSegment, IfcDistributionPort, IfcDistributionElement, IfcSystem |
|
IFC2x2 |
2003 |
Enhanced Property Sets |
IFC2x2 introduced improved property sets and enhanced data exchange capabilities. |
IfcWall, IfcDoor, IfcWindow, IfcBeam, IfcColumn, IfcSlab, IfcFooting, IfcCovering, IfcMember, IfcRamp, IfcStair, IfcBuildingElementProxy, IfcFurnishingElement, IfcFlowTerminal, IfcFlowSegment, IfcDistributionPort, IfcDistributionElement, IfcSystem |
|
IFC2x |
2000 |
Foundation for Future Versions |
IFC2x established the foundation for future enhancements with basic property sets and improved interoperability. |
IfcWall, IfcDoor, IfcWindow, IfcBeam, IfcColumn, IfcSlab, IfcFooting, IfcCovering, IfcMember, IfcRamp, IfcStair, IfcBuildingElementProxy, IfcFurnishingElement, IfcFlowTerminal, IfcFlowSegment, IfcDistributionPort, IfcDistributionElement, IfcSystem |
|
IFC1.5.1 |
1999 |
Early Entity Enhancements |
IFC1.5.1 introduced improved entity definitions and basic property handling. |
IfcWall, IfcDoor, IfcWindow, IfcBeam, IfcColumn, IfcSlab, IfcFooting, IfcCovering, IfcMember, IfcRamp, IfcStair, IfcBuildingElementProxy, IfcFurnishingElement, IfcFlowTerminal, IfcFlowSegment, IfcDistributionPort, IfcDistributionElement, IfcSystem |
|
IFC1.0 |
1997 |
Foundational Version |
IFC1.0 was the first version, introducing basic entity definitions and initial interoperability efforts. |
IfcWall, IfcDoor, IfcWindow, IfcBeam, IfcColumn, IfcSlab, IfcFooting, IfcCovering, IfcMember, IfcRamp, IfcStair, IfcBuildingElementProxy, IfcFurnishingElement, IfcFlowTerminal, IfcFlowSegment, IfcDistributionPort, IfcDistributionElement, IfcSystem |
|
Category |
Definition |
|
Latest Major Version |
The most recent and advanced version of the IFC schema, including the latest features and improvements. |
|
Widely Used Standard |
A version that has been widely adopted and is supported by most BIM software tools. |
|
Enhanced Property Sets |
Versions that introduced significant improvements to property sets and data exchange capabilities. |
|
Foundation for Future Versions |
Versions that established the foundation for future enhancements and improvements in the IFC schema. |
|
Early Entity Enhancements |
Early versions that introduced improved entity definitions and basic property handling. |
|
Foundational Version |
The first version of the IFC schema, laying the groundwork for future development. |
The IFC schema contains predefined types, which refer to many of the building elements and systems that can be modelled and exchanged in detail. Below is a list of some common predefined types:Below is a list of some common predefined types:
IfcWall: Stands for the secANTion elements of a building envelop.
IfcDoor: Represents door elements.
IfcWindow: Represents window elements.
IfcBeam: Represents beam elements.
IfcColumn: Represents column elements.
IfcSlab: Represents slab elements.
IfcFooting: Represents footing elements.
IfcCovering: Referred to finishes and other sheets that might cover other parts of an establishment.
IfcMember: Concerns itself with presenting structural member elements.
IfcRamp: Represents ramp elements.
IfcStair: Represents stair elements.
IfcBuildingElementProxy: Includes characteristics of building elements that cannot be assigned to any of the other defined categories.
IfcFurnishingElement: Represents furnishing elements.
IfcFlowTerminal: Symbolizes terminals in building services, for instance, outlet or diffusers.
IfcFlowSegment: Refers to an area of building services, like duct or pipe.
IfcDistributionPort: Stands for the ports for use in association with distribution elements.
IfcDistributionElement: Stands for the components that operate on the delivery of building services.
IfcSystem: Stands for the systems in the building such as , the Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) systems.
Interoperability of BIM data is supported with the help of Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) schema as it defines common representation in the form of building information. In order to deploy Revit BIM workflows and to use tools from different vendors for collaboration with the IFC specification and its parts are mandatory. Formal Revit BIM training courses at top bim training centers cover:
Stakeholder review of different IFC viewer applications for a better coordination experience
Practical learning sessions involved in Revit BIM training help the professionals to use IFC-based data exchange system to integrate with the standards to enhance the work process in Interoperable BIM practice.
