Method to identify the mechanical properties of a material starting from at least a digitalized image of a sample of the material. The image of the sample to be analyzed is processed to achieve a numerical model comprising a determinate number of elementary geometric elements, or cells, to each of which a parameter to identify the type of matter is assigned, in order to obtain information on the distribution of the mechanical characteristics in the individual units of the sample, from which it is possible to trace both the elastic characteristics and hence the resistance, and also the distribution of stresses and strain in relation to the application of the loads.