LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Whilst attempts for performing lateral load tests in boreholes can be found in German and Russian literature, Louis Ménard effectively developed and patented the pressuremeter as an everyday soil testing instrument, which today plays an important role in the design of foundations.

The work of Ménard’s organization with colleagues and the support of the “Laboratoires des ponts et chaussées (LPCs)” in France have led to an alternative state of practice compared to the more commonly known theoretical failure criteria and deformation theories. UK, Canada, USA and Japan have made significant contributions to the advances of technology and practice of pressuremeter testing.

A set of empirical rules that were first published in Ménard’s “Sol Soils” journal have been the basis of all other research, design guidelines and codes of practice that are used by geotechnical practitioners.

The creation of the International Committee on Pressuremeter “ICP” was proposed during the International Symposium for the 60^th Anniversary of the pressuremeter in 2015 “ISP7-Pressio2015”, held under the auspices of the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE). ICP offers an opportunity to exchange experience in the field of pressuremeter practice between manufacturers, practitioners, contractors, consultants, engineers, academics and scientists. The main objectives of this committee are to provide scientific, technical assistance and a data base on the use and interpretation of the pressuremeter test results, and it will help to advance the knowledge of pressuremeter testing by providing information on the latest methods, technologies and advanced testing equipment through its website.