KindOfQuantities in BIS

The choosing of a KindOfQuantity in a BIS schema needs to reflect the intended level of coordination of the grouping of properties and default display-formatting that it represents. In general, there are three levels of coordination to keep in mind:

  1. Common across the BIS ecosystem.
  2. Common across a particular subset of schemas.
  3. Specific to an iModel Connector or Application.

Common KindOfQuantities across the BIS ecosystem

KindOfQuantities defined in the AecUnits schema shall be referenced by properties whose grouping and default display-formatting are meant to be coordinated across the entire BIS ecosystem, disregarding of the disciplines involved.

As an example, the aecu:LENGTH KindOfQuantity can be referenced by properties in schemas at any layer. If the display-formatting of aecu:LENGTH is changed in an Application, the new display-formatting will apply to values from properties across all disciplines referencing it.

Common KindOfQuantities across a subset of schemas

When the coordination about grouping of properties and default-formatting is only expected among properties in a subset of schemas, it is recommended that a separate schema is introduced to define them.

The RoadRailUnits schema is an example of this kind of coordination. For instance, it defines a rru:LENGTH KindOfQuantity that is referenced by properties in Road & Rail schemas whose display-formatting is expected to change together, separate from the common aecu:LENGTH KindOfQuantity mentioned earlier.

Specific to an iModel Connector or Application

When an iModel Connector or Application faces the need of a special KindOfQuantity not covered by existing lower-level schemas, such special KindOfQuantity shall be defined in a Connector or Application-specific schema. It is still recommended to introduce these special KindOfQuantities into a separate schema in order to achieve better control over schema upgrades.


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Last Updated: 30 November, 2023