Final answer:
Architectural models in engineering typically include components, connectors, and constraints to represent and refine the design before production. Examples include physical models of buildings and rough prototypes of products to demonstrate functionality.
Step-by-step explanation:
When we talk about architectural models in engineering, the elements we typically model include components, connectors, and constraints. These models are abstract representations that aid in the development of a detailed design. This design process begins with the establishment of design architecture, which involves assigning the functional elements of a product to the physical building blocks that will comprise the final product.
An example of this might involve an architect constructing a physical tabletop model to demonstrate how a new office building will transform a city block. Similarly, companies create rough models of new products to exemplify how they will function before achieving the final product's refinement. These models allow designers and stakeholders to visualize and refine the product's design before moving forward with the production stage.