Developed in France in the 1950s by engineer Louis Ménard, the Ménard-type pressuremeter tests (PMT) consist of inserting a pressuremeter probe into a borehole and then applying nitrogen gas to deform a flexible membrane.

Deformation measurements are read by a control panel that measures pressure and volume variations occurring as a result of soil deformation.

The test can be made on all types of soil and provides in-situ parameters for deformability and readings are made automatically by “Geospad” system.

The tests are performed in accordance to ASTM D4719 -Standard Test Method for Prebored Pressuremeter Testing in Soils and Eurocode 7.