Call: 01392 678082

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

Recent projects

  • Latest news

    13 Jul 2026

    Geoff’s birthday treats!

    We recently celebrated a special birthday of Geoff Davis, in a place that is close to his heart: the East Devon coast.He treated us to his knowledge of the geology and landslide systems in the area, and we treated him to an ice cream on the beach!

    Geoff’s birthday treats!
    Geoff’s birthday treats!

  • Recent projects

    Ground Improvement, Shropshire

    To inform the design of an embankment for a proposed highway, as part of the residential redevelopment of a site in Shropshire, Ruddlesden geotechnical were instructed to undertake a geotechnical investigation and assessment. The geotechnical investigation comprised cable percussive boreholes, which encountered a succession of Alluvial soils, including peat, silt and clay to depths in excess of 10m depth. Analyses indicated that the surcharge of the embankment would consolidate the underlying soils by virtue of their low strength, which would likely affect the serviceability of the proposed highway. It was also considered that there would be an insufficient factor of safety on the global stability of the embankment. Ruddlesden geotechnical proposed that ground improvement be undertaken, for example by pre-surcharging the ground and installing drainage, to speed-up the consolidation of the underlying Alluvial soils, to reduce the amount of anticipated settlement in the long term to acceptable levels.

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  • Recent projects

    Foundations Options Appraisal, Somerset

    The Somerset Levels typically comprise a thick sequence of Quaternary and Recent Alluvium/ Tidal Flat Deposits, made up of layers of peat, clay, silt, sand and gravel, underlain by Triassic and Jurassic bedrock deposits. The cost-effective development of residential housing can be difficult in this area of the country, due to the deep Alluvium/ Tidal Flat Deposits, often ranging between 10m and >20m in thickness, which sometimes results in piled foundations being the default foundation solution, which can often affect the viability of the project. The upper 1.5m-2.0m of the Alluvium/ Tidal Flat Deposits often comprise desiccated clay soils and can, in some circumstances, provide a suitable founding stratum for shallow foundations. Conversely, for larger developments, ground improvement can also be considered to facilitate the use of shallow foundations, as a cost-effective alternative to piles. As part of a general ground investigation, Ruddlesden geotechnical have recently undertaken a foundation options appraisal in Weston-super-Mare for a proposed residential development, where all of the above were considered, to provide the most cost-effective solution for the developer. A mix of piled and strip/ trench-fill foundations were recommended, directly relating to the underlying geology.

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