> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.ntop.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Overview

> This course demonstrates the different methods of setting up and running structural finite element analysis on lattice structures in nTop as well as the pros and cons of each approach.

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  <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/files-learn/lessons/lattice-structural-analysis/Featured_Image_Lattice_FEA-1.png" alt="Lattice Structural Analysis" />
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**Prerequisites:**

[101: nTop Essentials](/lessons/ntop-foundations/overview), [102: Guide to Meshing](/lessons/intro-to-meshing/overview), [210: Intro to Lattices](/lessons/intro-to-lattices/overview), [240: Intro to Simulation](/lessons/intro-to-structural-analysis/overview)

**What will be covered:**

* Three methods for simulating lattice structures in nTop
* Learn the process for setting up and running a simulation using each of these methods from scratch
* The key differences between these different methods, their advantages and limitations, and when to use each

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Before We Begin" href="/lessons/lattice-structural-analysis/before-we-begin-lattice-simulation" cta="Open" />

  <Card title="Lattice Simulation Options and Comparison" href="/lessons/lattice-structural-analysis/lattice-simulation-options-and-comparison" cta="Open" />
</CardGroup>

### Methods for Simulating Lattices

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Method 1: Using Solid Elements" href="/lessons/lattice-structural-analysis/method-1-using-solid-elements" cta="Open" />

  <Card title="Follow Along: Lattice Simulation Using Solid Elements" href="/lessons/lattice-structural-analysis/follow-along-lattice-simulation-using-solid-elements" cta="Open" />

  <Card title="Method 2: Using Beam or Shell Elements" href="/lessons/lattice-structural-analysis/method-2-using-beam-or-shell-elements" cta="Open" />

  <Card title="Follow Along: Lattice Simulation Using Beam or Shell Elements" href="/lessons/lattice-structural-analysis/follow-along-lattice-simulation-using-beam-or-shell-elements" cta="Open" />

  <Card title="Method 3: Homogenization" href="/lessons/lattice-structural-analysis/method-3-homogenization" cta="Open" />

  <Card title="Follow Along: Homogenized Lattice Simulation" href="/lessons/lattice-structural-analysis/follow-along-homogenized-lattice-simulation" cta="Open" />

  <Card title="Download: Completed Lattice Simulation nTop Files" href="/lessons/lattice-structural-analysis/download-completed-lattice-simulation-ntop-files" cta="Open" />

  <Card title="Knowledge Check: Lattice FEA" href="/lessons/lattice-structural-analysis/knowledge-check-lattice-fea" cta="Open" />
</CardGroup>

### Optional Lattice FEA Test Problem

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Optional: Lattice FEA Problem Statement" href="/lessons/lattice-structural-analysis/optional-lattice-fea-problem-statement" cta="Open" />

  <Card title="Answer to Lattice FEA Test Problem" href="/lessons/lattice-structural-analysis/answer-to-lattice-fea-test-problem" cta="Open" />
</CardGroup>

### What's Next

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Resources" href="/lessons/lattice-structural-analysis/resources" cta="Open" />
</CardGroup>