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

    Large Retaining Wall, Devon

    As part of the redevelopment of an existing large, residential property in Chagford, Devon, a large retaining wall was proposed. Ruddlesden geotechnical were commissioned to undertake a geotechnical investigation and to provide characteristic parameters for design of the wall. Ruddlesden geotechnical also provided on-going support during construction and inspected the retaining wall excavations to confirm that the ground conditions were as anticipated.

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  • Recent projects

    Validation Testing in Somerset to Satisfy NHBC and Local Authority

    Ten years after carrying out the original contamination investigation and assessment, Ruddlesden geotechnical returned to the site to carry out the validation testing of the remedial works. The validation testing included hand-excavated trial pits in garden areas, to obtain samples for laboratory testing to confirm the cleanliness of the capping soil in garden areas and to provide a photographic record of the depth of the capping layer, as well as documentary evidence of the gas protection measuresand upgraded water supply pipes. The site visit was attended promptly and the laboratory testing was expedited, following which the report was issued without delay, to ensure they were no problems with sales.

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