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

    Temporary Works Excavation Stability Assessment, North Devon

    It was proposed to construct a retaining wall as part of the proposed redevelopment of a residential site in north Devon. Ruddlesden were commissioned to provide a method statement detailing precautions to be taken during excavations, with details of the support to be provided during temporary works and construction of the retaining wall. Whilst it was considered that one of the excavations could be safely graded back to a safe angle of repose to facilitate the construction of the retaining wall, where this was not possible, the soils and rock exposed in the excavation were retained by a proprietary geo-grid/ mesh pinned into the slope, to mitigate the risk of rock fall.

    35-middle-marwood-reduced-1
  • 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.

    13-nansledan-3