I model the I beam as surfaces in CAD , then import the step file to prepomax and create compound part , in preprocessing i define a shell section but in post processing there is an element overlapping , how to solve this problem ?
CalculiX expands 2D elements to 3D solids internally. This may create such an overlap, but it can be avoided by leaving gaps between the surfaces or just using offsets in shell section definitions (the easiest way).
CalculiX’s offsets are described in detail here: https://wiki.freecad.org/FEM_ElementGeometry2D#Properties
So you should apply offset of 0.5 to the flange surfaces. Sign depends on their normal direction (you can check it in PrePoMax using color code).
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