๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐ฏ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฐ๐ก๐ข๐ฅ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐๐๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐๐ฑ ๐ ๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ: ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐ฐ๐๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ ๐ ๐ญ๐๐ค๐๐ง ๐จ๐ง ๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐จ๐ข๐ฅ ๐๐ญ ๐๐กรข๐ญ๐๐๐ฎ ๐๐๐ข๐ง๐ญ-๐๐๐ซ๐ญ๐กรฉ๐ฅ๐๐ฆ๐ฒ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ณ๐๐ซ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐.
As part of the restoration of Chรขteau Saint-Barthรฉlemy, Medusoil contributed in 2025 to an initial phase of ground improvement works aimed at strengthening and stabilizing the soils beneath and around the foundations of this historic structure.
Geotechnical investigations revealed a particularly heterogeneous subsoil, consisting of fills, sandy silts, and silty clays. Some of these clay layers exhibit shrinkโswell behavior in response to moisture variations, potentially causing differential ground movements and contributing to cracking in the historic masonry.
๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ญ๐๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ฆ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฏ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
To address these conditions while respecting the heritage character of the chรขteau, Medusoil implemented its BCEM I (BioSlurry) biocementation solution through injection.
The treatment was carried out along the eastern faรงade to a depth of 3 metres. Injections were performed at very low pressure, approximately 0.5 bar, allowing the solution to naturally follow preferential hydraulic pathways without imposing significant mechanical stress on the structure.
This approach was designed to reduce hydro-mechanical heterogeneities in the ground, treat preferential seepage paths, and improve the stability of shallow soils supporting the foundations.
๐๐จ๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐จ๐ฉ๐ก๐ฒ๐ฌ๐ข๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ญ๐ก๐จ๐๐ฌ
The intervention also included a non-destructive monitoring programme combining Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT).
GPR surveys performed before and after injection showed localized changes in the signal within the treated areas, including smoother reflectors and a reduction in fine-scale anomalies, indicating progressive homogenization of the soil structure. At approximately one metre from the injection axes, little to no significant change was observed, confirming that the treatment remained localized.
Complementary ERT measurements provided further insight into subsurface heterogeneity and helped identify preferential hydraulic pathways. These results also establish a valuable baseline for refining the targeting and monitoring of future phases of the project.
๐๐ข๐จ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ ๐: ๐ ๐๐ข๐๐๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐๐๐ก ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ ๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ
This project demonstrates how biocementation technologies can be integrated into geotechnical interventions on sensitive and historic structures.
By combining low-pressure injection, targeted ground treatment, and non-destructive geophysical monitoring, Medusoil is contributing to the development of new approaches to ground reinforcement while addressing the specific constraints associated with heritage buildings.
The project was carried out with the St. Barthรฉlemy Foundation, in collaboration with Kรคlin & Associรฉs and Marti.
