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

    05 Oct 2026

    Everything you always wanted to know about soakaway testing and groundwater monitoring*

    Everything you always wanted to know about soakaway testing and groundwater monitoring* (*but were afraid to ask).This was the title of a recent lunchtime CPD presentation that Simon and Callum recently gave to a company of drainage and civil engineers. Whilst the pun in the title, taken from a Woody Allen film, might have been lost on many of the audience, its content certainly wasn’t. I am all for sharing what we know, particularly if it takes less than an hour, over lunch, and especially if it helps make all of our lives easier and to the benefit of others. Whilst standing up in front of a room and talking for around 40 minutes isn’t my idea of fun, the benefits are great and many, so we are happy to provide a similar talk to others, if anyone fancies it.    Providing a pizza lunch is optional, but always helps with our availability!

    Everything you always wanted to know about soakaway testing and groundwater monitoring*
    Everything you always wanted to know about soakaway testing and groundwater monitoring*
  • Recent projects

    Rope Access Work for Cliff Stability Survey, Dorset

    Ruddlesden geotechnical were commissioned to undertake a cliff stability survey for a property situated on the Isle of Portland. In order for kinematic analyses to be undertaken, to inform the need for remedial (stabilisation) measures, rock mass data was required. Due to the inaccessibility of the limestone escarpment, rope access was required to obtain the necessary data. Ruddlesden geotechnical obtained the data under the supervision of IRATA-qualified personnel, who managed all of the health and safety aspects of the project.

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  • Recent projects

    Cliff Stability Assessment, Dorset

    There was a stability risk at a cliff-top site on the Isle of Portland, as indicated by a Phase 1 Geotechnical Assessment, previously undertaken by Ruddlesden geotechnical. Ruddlesden geotechnical were commissioned to assess the potential for landslip, ascertain the likely landslip mechanism and causation and determine the relative risk of collapse. Due to restricted access, rope accesstechniques were utilised to collect rock mass data for use in structural kinematic analyses to ascertain the likely failure modes. The results of the kinematic analyses (and site observations) indicated the potential for rockfall and wedge-type failures within the top 10m of the cliff-top, confined to one particular geological unit. Remedial measures, comprising rock-bolting and meshing, were recommended to maintain the existing cliff profile and hence long-term stability of the site.

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