Within a structure, an element cannot be broken down (decomposed) into parts of different kinds (e.g., beam or column).
[1] Structural building components are specialized structural building products designed, engineered and manufactured under controlled conditions for a specific application.
Examples are wood or steel roof trusses, floor trusses, floor panels, I-joists, or engineered beams and headers.
A structural building component manufacturer or truss manufacturer is an individual or company regularly engaged in the manufacturing of components.
Structural elements can be lines, surfaces or volumes.