Established 2004

Ruddlesden geotechnical

Ruddlesden geotechnical provides ground investigation, geotechnical consultancy and contamination assessment services.

Based in Exeter, but covering the whole of the UK, albeit primarily concentrated in the South West, Ruddlesden geotechnical was formed in 2004.

Ruddlesden geotechnical works on behalf of a wide client base, including local, regional and national housing developers, housing associations, commercial developers, building contractors, structural and civil engineers, architects, building consultants, quantity surveyors, local authorities and private individuals.

Development projects range from single dwellings and extensions to large housing estates, multi-storey flats, offices, industrial units, roads, slopes, schools, hospitals and basements.

The services and projects listed on this web-site provide an indication of those undertaken by Ruddlesden geotechnical, but others are carried out. If your requirement is not readily identifiable on this web-site, please contact us as we may still be able to help you.

  • AGS
  • Constructionline
  • CSCS
  • SMAS
  • ECFC trust
  • Latest news

    27 Aug 2026

    LiDAR, UAV and GIS used for Slope Stability Assessment

    Geoff Davis has recently been working on another coastal caravan site with slope stability problems.On this site, Lewis Brown Chartered Land Surveyors used remote sensing (LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging)) from a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) to help understand the locations and magnitude of ground movements.Ruddlesden geotechnical then used GIS (Geographic Information System)  to highlight areas of concern, to quantify the degree of movement, which might have otherwise been missed.These technologies have been great in helping us understand the landslide processes at this site and, equally importantly, convey to others what is happening. However, they are of little use without a detailed understanding of the geological and geomorphological processes, which inform the all-important ground model, i.e. they should be seen as a useful tool to help us understand and communicate landslide processes, rather than a replacement for the understanding of them.

    LiDAR, UAV and GIS used for Slope Stability Assessment
    LiDAR, UAV and GIS used for Slope Stability Assessment
  • Recent projects

    BRE DG 365 Soakaway Testing, Cornwall

    In-situ soakaway testing was undertaken in accordance with BRE DG 365, as part of a wider geotechnical investigation and contamination assessment for the residential redevelopment of land near Newquay, in Cornwall. The testing was undertaken using machine-excavated trial pits, with a tractor-towed water bowser used to provide the large volumes of water required for testing. Where practicable, Ruddlesden geotechnical use local plant hire firms and agricultural contractors for all of our ground investigation work. Ruddlesden geotechnical worked closely with the consulting engineers to ensure that sufficient information was provided for surface water drainage design. Due care was taken to appease local stakeholders, siting the test locations to minimise excessive disturbance to existing agricultural land and ensuring that all test locations were reinstated with the upmost care to mitigate against any future damage to agricultural plant and/ or livestock.

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  • Recent projects

    CBR Values for Road Pavement Design, Cornwall

    Ruddlesden geotechnical were commissioned to undertake California Bearing Ratio (CBR) testing to provide a design CBR value for road pavement design. The testing was to be undertaken within a highway verge of an A-road. Ruddlesden geotechnical obtained the necessary street works licence and organised the appropriate level of traffic management to protect site operatives. Trial pits were excavated within the verge to reveal the underlying subgrade. A number of Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) tests were undertaken to ascertain the strength of the subgrade and, supplemented with UKAS accredited laboratory testing, used to calculate a representative CBR value for design. Bearing pressures were also provided for used in foundation design of highway signage.

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