The risk the PMT reduces
Developed by the engineer Louis Menard in France during the 1950s, the Menard pressuremeter measures soil stiffness and strength directly at the test point. It is the main form of geotechnical investigation used in France and delivers the ground stress-strain relationship, so foundations can be designed on data rather than on estimates.
The test in stages
Pre-boring the hole
The device is inserted into a previously drilled hole, with a diameter slightly larger than that of the probe.
Positioning at depth
The probe is lowered to the test depth, at the level where the soil behavior is to be measured.
Applying radial pressure
A uniform radial pressure is applied to the borehole wall by injecting water and nitrogen, expanding the membrane against the soil.
Recording the stress-strain curve
The applied pressure and the volume expansion of the probe are measured and recorded in the control box, yielding the stress-strain relationship.
According to ISO-22.476-4 and ASTM D4719-07
The test measures direct soil quantities at the point of penetration:
| Pressuremeter modulus | Menard pressuremeter modulus, the in situ soil stiffness |
|---|---|
| Limit pressure | Menard limit pressure, the soil resistance to expansion |
| Residual pressure | Residual pressure measured in the test |
Through correlations, the results allow the assessment of:
| Deformability | Soil modulus of elasticity (E) |
|---|---|
| Saturated clays | Undrained shear strength (Su) |
| Sandy soils | Effective friction angle (ø) |
| Foundations | Bearing capacity and settlement of shallow and deep foundations |
Quality and field operation
Data quality
- Calibrated probe and control box verification before the test.
- Controlled pre-boring, with a diameter matched to the probe so the wall is not disturbed.
- Auditable recording of pressure and volume, a process within the ISO system since 2013.
- Report reviewed by an engineer before delivery.
Site standard
- Ready for high demand areas, mining, industry and ports.
- Organized and signposted work front with an HSE procedure.
- Focus on the well-being of the field crew, including night shifts.
- One native seedling planted per service, the One Tree program.
The deliverable
| Field report | Pressuremeter curves by test depth, with pressure and volume records |
|---|---|
| Measured parameters | Menard pressuremeter modulus, limit pressure and residual pressure |
| Correlated parameters | Modulus E, Su, friction angle and foundation parameters, when interpretation is contracted |
| Typical lead time | Report according to the contracted scope |
Sectors and project types
The test in the field
Frequently asked questions about the Menard Pressuremeter
What does the PMT measure?
The Menard pressuremeter measures the strength, the stiffness and the stresses of the soil in situ. The test provides the Menard pressuremeter modulus, the Menard limit pressure and the residual pressure, obtained from the stress-strain relationship recorded during the expansion of the probe.
Does the test require a pre-bored hole?
Yes. The device is inserted into a previously drilled hole, with a diameter slightly larger than that of the probe. Once at the test depth, radial pressure is applied by injecting water and nitrogen.
Which design parameters does the PMT provide?
Through correlations, the results allow the assessment of the soil modulus of elasticity (E), the undrained shear strength (Su) in saturated clays, the effective friction angle (ø) in sandy soils, and the bearing capacity and settlement of shallow and deep foundations.
Which standards govern the test?
The test is standardized by ISO-22.476-4 and ASTM D4719-07.
Menard Pressuremeter for your project
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