Methods to determine pressure distribution along a downhole formation and methods to determine a recipe for materials used in a wellbore are disclosed. A method to determine pressure distribution along a downhole formation includes overlaying a pressure film on a formation sample of a downhole formation. The method also includes inserting cement, the pressure film and the formation sample in a pressure vessel. The method further includes utilizing the pressure vessel to perform one or more tests of the formation sample. After performing the one or more tests, the method further includes analyzing the pressure film to determine a pressure distribution along the formation sample.