1954
Invention of the pressuremeter
It all started in 1954, when Louis Ménard, a young French Mechanical Engineering student from Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées, invented the device that was to revolutionize geotechnical work: the pressuremeter.
Until the 1950s, to calculate the foundations necessary for the stability of a building, a core sample was taken from the soil. The sample was analyzed to observe the different layers of materials or rocks, then a laboratory analysis was then necessary to determine the level of soil failure and its deformability curve.
Louis Ménard set himself the goal of devising a single test to measure the ultimate pressure of the soil 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 revolutionize geotechnical work: the pressuremeter.
1957
Creation of the company “Les Pressiomètres de Menard”
In 1957, Louis Menard set up a company called “Les pressiomètres Menard” (Menard pressuremeters). Success was quick to follow and he soon had four licensees using his devices. He also convinced the French Laboratoire 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 & reorganisation of the company
Ever anxious to share his knowledge of the use of 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 put on general sale.
1969
First application of dynamic compaction technique
Residential resort in Mandelieu-la-Napoule, France
Read more about Dynamic compaction
1977
First major contract outside of France
First major contract outside of France: stabilisation of the second runway of the Changi airport, Singapore and first 43 m deep vertical drain.
1978
Iconic project : Nice Airport, France
Deepest dynamic compaction application (27 m, 4,000 tm energy) on the Nice airport, France project
1978
Death of Louis Ménard
1987
Development of Menard Soltraitement
1987 marked a further turning-point in the history of the company, becoming independent once more, when it was sold by its shareholder and taken over by two company managers, Jean-Marie Cognon and Pierre-Marie Bic. The name “Menard Soltraitement” was adopted.
1989
Iconic project : Kourou, French Guyana
Full scale 300 t loas test on dynamic replacement pillars on the spaceship Ariane 5 launch pad in Kourou, French Guyana
1998
Largest induced settlement
Largest induced settlement on the Jangyoo sewage treatment plant, South Korea
1999
Integration of Menard into Freyssinet’s group (VINCI)
2001
Ground improvement of 1,600,000 m² of reclaimed platform
Ground improvement of 1,600,000 m² of reclaimed platform on the Airbus A380 assembly factory in Hamburg, Germany
2002
Acquisition of DGI (USA)
Everything you should know about our US subsidiary is on Menard group USA website
2006
Deepest barrier wall constructed
Deepest barrier wall constructed on the Mayfield decontamination project, Australia
2007
Acquisition of GEOPAC (Canada)
Now named Menard Canada, discover all about our canadian business unit
2008
Largest vibrocompaction project
Largest vibrocompaction project for the Palm Jebel Ali in Dubai (UAE)
2011
Deepest vibroflotation for the largest onshore windmill
Deepest vibroflotation for the largest onshore windmill in Lautsitz Ring, Germany
2011
Integration Of Vibro Services
2014
CMC world depth record
Controlled Modulus Columns set a world depth record in Louisiana in 2014
2016
Integration of Remea
Remea is a key player in the soil remediation field offering expertise in remediation of polluted sites, management of polluted effluents on construction sites and treatment of industrial ponds and tanks at operating sites.
2017
Acquisition of ConeTec
Discover ConeTec, which specializes in geotechnical and geoenvironmental site investigation.
2021
Acquisition of Dunton Environmental
Discover Dunton Envrionmental, specialized in developing and implementing ground and water remediation solutions to restore our planets natural environment.
2021
Acquisition of Farrell
Discover Farrell, design and build deep foundation and ground improvement solutions
2022
Acquisition of Earth Tech
Discover Farrell, design and build deep foundation and ground improvement solutions
