An IfcCivilElement is a generalization of all elements within a civil engineering works that cannot be represented as BuildingElements, DistributionElements or GeographicElements. Depending on the context of the construction project, included building work, such as buildings or factories, are represented as a collection of IfcBuildingElement's, distribution systems, such as piping or drainage, are represented as a collection of IfcDistributionElement's, and other geographic elements, such as trees, light posts, traffic signs etc. are represented as IfcGeographicElement's. 

Civil elements are typically horizontally organized using a spatial structure expressed by spatial zones, therefore IfcCivilElement is spatially contained by default within an IfcSpatialZone.