BIM-IFC-DETAIL

BIM pivot format ISO 16739.

Definition

IFC relies on the EXPRESS model (ISO 10303-11). Class hierarchy: IfcRoot → IfcObject → IfcProduct → IfcBuildingElement → IfcWall, IfcSlab, IfcBeam, etc. Serialisations: STEP (.ifc), XML (ifcXML), Turtle (ifcOWL). Domain coverage: architectural, structural, MEP, infra. Key versions: IFC2x3 (mainstream), IFC4 (2013), IFC4.3 (2024 infra).

Origin

buildingSMART (IAI) founded 1995 ; IFC2x certified ISO 16739:2005 ; IFC4 published 2013.

Example in context

A Revit BIM model exports to IFC4 ; structural engineer opens in Tekla for calculation, with no loss of project references and properties.

Related terms

• IFC 4.3 — infra extension.