History
Historic Timeline
1954
Invention of the Pressuremeter
In 1954, Louis Ménard, a student at the Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées in Paris, set himself the goal of devising a single test to measure the ultimate pressure of the coil and its deformation modulus in order to calculate its bearing capacity and settlement. He developed and filed a patent for the device that was to revolutionise geotechnical work: the pressuremeter. In 1957, he set up “Les Pressiomètres Ménard” company to market his invention, which rapidly and successfully came into use.
1957
Creation of the company Les Pressiomètres Ménard
In 1957, Louis Ménard simultaneously worked on the marketing of his invention, setting up a company called “Les Pressiomètres Ménard” (Menard pressuremeters). Success was quick to follow and he soon had four licensees using his device. He also convinced the French Laboaratorie Central des Ponts et Chaussées (Central Civil Engineering Laboratory) to use his equipment.
1959
International development of the pressuremeter
Exported to Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Canada and Brazil.
1962
Launch of the Sols-Soils journal & re-organisation of the company
Ever anxious to share his knowledge of the use f the pressuremeter, Louis Ménard launched the bilingual journal “Sols-Soils”, with Michel Gambin as editor-in-chief. This highly technical quarterly publication was initially distributed within the network of licensees but was soon on general sale.
In the same year, Louis Ménard split the company in two, with “Les techniques Louis Ménard” (Louis Ménard technologies) on one hand and “Les études pressiométriques Louis Ménard” (Louis Ménard pressure measuring) on the other. This re-organisation gave him the opportunity to develop new products and really establish himself as an entrepreneur, always setting himself apart from his competitors by including structural design and ground improvement follow-up in his offers.
1968
Invention of Dynamic Compaction for sandy soils
Ever anxious to share his knowledge of the use f the pressuremeter, Louis Ménard launched the bilingual journal “Sols-Soils”, with Michel Gambin as editor-in-chief. This highly technical quarterly publication was initially distributed within the network of licensees but was soon on general sale.
In the same year, Louis Ménard split the company in two, with “Les techniques Louis Ménard” (Louis Ménard technologies) on one hand and “Les études pressiométriques Louis Ménard” (Louis Ménard pessure measuring) on the other. This re-organisation gave him the opportunity to develop new products and really establish himself as an entrepreneur, always setting himself apart from his competitors by including structural design and ground improvement follow-up in his offers.
1969
The first application of dynamic compaction technique
Residential resort in Mandelieu La-Napoule, France.
1975
Development of dynamic replacement for clayey soils
1977
First major project outside of France
Stabilisation of the second runway of the Changi airport, Singapore and first 43m deep vertical drain
1978
Deepest dynamic compaction application (27m, 4000TM Energy)
Nice airport, France
1978
Death of Louis Ménard
1987
Development of Menard Soltraitement
In 1987 marked a further turning-point in the history of the company, becoming independent once more, when it was sold by its shareholders and taken over by two company managers, Jean-Marie Cognon and Pierre-Marie Bic. The name “Menard Soltraitemen” was adopted.
1988
Development of Menard Vacuum™ (Atmospheric consolidation system) in France
1989
Full scale 300T load test on dynamic replacement pillars
Ariane 5 spaceship launch pad in Kourou, French Guyana
1994
Development of controlled modulus columns
1998
Largest Induced Settlement
Jangyoo Sewage treatment plant, South Korea
1999
Integration of the Menard Group into Freyssinet’s group (Vinci)
2001
Ground improvement of 1,600,00m^2 of reclaimed platform
Airbus A380 assembly factory in Hamburg, Germany
2006
Deepest barrier wall constructed
Mayfield Decontamination Project, Australia
2006
Soletanche Bachy Group bough Vibro Projects
2008
Largest vibro-compaction project
Palm Jumeirah and Palm Jebel Ali, Dubai (UAE)
2009-2010
12,000,000m^2 of dynamic compaction
Kuwait new cities
2011
Deepest vibrofloatation for the largest onshore windmill
Lautsitz Ring Germany
2011
Alliance with Menard Group and the formation of Vibro Menard with Vibro Projects
2012
Largest ground improvement project in France
lng terminal in Dunkirk
2013
Linkroad in Bexhill
First major infrastructure project for Vibro Menard in the UK
2014
World depth record for Controlled modulus columns
Oil tanks in raceland, Louisiana, USA
2016
Integration of Remea (earlier known as Sol Environment) who specialize in Soil Remediation