The data structure of the CADD and GIS data components of this project are based on a data model developed and published by the US Army Corps of Engineers: Spatial Data Standard for Facilities, Infrastructure, and Environment (SDSFIE). The following description of the SDSFIE data model is modified after information published on the website of the CADD/GIS Technology Center. <http://tsc.wes.army.mil/products/TSSDS-TSFMS/tssds/html>
The Computer-Aided Design and Drafting (CADD)/Geographic Information System (GIS) Technology Center for Facilities, Infrastructure, and Environment developed SDSFIE. The SDSFIE have focused on the development of graphic and nongraphic standards for GIS implementations at military and other US Government organizations.
SDSFIE provides a standardized grouping of geographically referenced (i.e., geospatial) features (i.e., real-world features or objects depicted graphically on a map at their real-world location (i.e., coordinates). Each geospatial feature has an attribute table containing pertinent data about the geospatial feature.
SDSFIE is a nonproprietary GIS data content standard designed for use with the predominant commercially available off-the-shelf GIS and CADD software and relational database systems (e.g., Oracle and Microsoft Access). This design has become the de facto standard for GIS implementations in Federal, State, and local government organizations; public utilities; and private industry throughout the United States and the World.
The SDSFIE data model consists of five basic levels of hierarchy: Entity Sets, Entity Classes, Entity Types (includes Entities), Attribute Tables, and Domain Tables.
Entity Set. Entity Sets are the highest level of the SDSFIE data model structure and represent data organized at the project level. Entity Sets are broad, generalized themes containing groupings (called Entity Classes) of features (i.e., graphic objects (called Entity Types) which can be depicted at their actual geographic locations on a map) and related "graphic" attribute data (i.e., data (information) about the feature which is stored in a database table).
Entity Class. Entity Classes comprise the next level of the hierarchical SDSFIE data model structure. Entity Classes contain groupings of similar features (called Entity Types) and related "graphic" attribute data. Each Entity Class is equivalent to a separate map or drawing file. For example, each attribute table name in the transportation_vehicle Entity Class begins with "trveh", where "tr" represents the Entity Set name (transportation) and "veh" represents the Entity Class name (vehicle).
Entity Type. Each Entity Class contains one or more Entity Types. An Entity Type is the logical name assigned to a graphic feature (i.e., an object that can be graphically depicted on a map or drawing). Each Entity Type has a corresponding "graphic" attribute table containing specific information about the Entity Type.
SDSFIE Attribute Table. The SDSFIE Attribute Table is a relational database table containing data, or information, about a specific SDSFIE entity. Since SDSFIE Attribute Tables are linked directly to a graphic entity (using the electronic tools provided with CADD and The SDSFIE has been designed for use with relational database management system (RDBMS) software. RDBMS software provides a means of managing the related data contained in one or more database tables. Examples of RDBMS software include Oracle (Oracle Corporation) and Access (Microsoft Corporation), SQLServer, and Informix. GIS software) they are classified as "graphic" (i.e., SDSFIE) attribute tables.
Domain Table. Domain tables contain standardized lists of permissible values for specific attributes. They provide a predefined finite set of allowable values, which may be enlarged by each user. Included are tables of units of measure, types, styles, status, names, methods, materials, dispositions, sources, dimensions, data, classes, building numbers, etc. The user can add to these lists and range domains installation-specific values as needed.
The SDSFIE hierarchy levels of the data sets of this project correspond to the project feature content.