This paper discusses two different approaches to microanalysis of the soil medium. It presents testing results collected by electromicroscopy, which requires special sample preparation, and a non-destructive method, requiring no sample preparation and using a computer-assisted tomograph. The paper presents:
• Applicability of microstructure analyses and chemical microanalysis in the determination of structural damage incurred in the historical time in relation to the effect of contemporary abiotic events;
• Application of a standard medical computer-assisted tomograph in qualitative assessment of structure and observations of mechanisms of failure in the cement/peat soil composite.
Investigations concerning the applicability of computed tomography in soil micromechanics are demonstrative in character and the presented conclusions suggest further directions for research.