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.

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.

International development of the pressuremeter

Exported to Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Canada and Brazil.

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.

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.

The first application of dynamic compaction technique

Residential resort in Mandelieu La-Napoule, France.

Development of dynamic replacement for clayey soils

First major project outside of France

Stabilisation of the second runway of the Changi airport, Singapore and first 43m deep vertical drain

Deepest dynamic compaction application (27m, 4000TM Energy)

Nice airport, France

Death of Louis Ménard

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.

Development of Menard Vacuum™ (Atmospheric consolidation system) in France

Full scale 300T load test on dynamic replacement pillars

Ariane 5 spaceship launch pad in Kourou, French Guyana

Development of controlled modulus columns

Largest Induced Settlement

Jangyoo Sewage treatment plant, South Korea

Integration of the Menard Group into Freyssinet’s group (Vinci)

Ground improvement of 1,600,00m^2 of reclaimed platform

Airbus A380 assembly factory in Hamburg, Germany

Deepest barrier wall constructed

Mayfield Decontamination Project, Australia

Soletanche Bachy Group bough Vibro Projects

Largest vibro-compaction project

Palm Jumeirah and Palm Jebel Ali, Dubai (UAE)

12,000,000m^2 of dynamic compaction

Kuwait new cities

Deepest vibrofloatation for the largest onshore windmill

Lautsitz Ring Germany

Alliance with Menard Group and the formation of Vibro Menard with Vibro Projects

Largest ground improvement project in France

lng terminal in Dunkirk

Linkroad in Bexhill

First major infrastructure project for Vibro Menard in the UK

World depth record for Controlled modulus columns

Oil tanks in raceland, Louisiana, USA