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

    09 Jun 2026

    Mini golf in a Cornish rock garden

    A bit of rain did not dampen the spirits at the Ruddlesden geotechnical golf day this year, when retaining the trophies became the theme of the day.Smashing balls into a field in Cornwall (Trackman driving range) was followed by lunch in the feasting barns, with the main event – mini golf in a Cornish rock garden – in the afternoon. Geoff and Sarah retained their first male and female prizes, Becky put a lot of effort in hanging on to her wooden spoon trophy, and Catherine won the nearest the pin trophy for the first time. As always, there was no winner of the ‘beat-the-boss’ prize, but this year that was only because having the same score does not mean beating!

    Mini golf in a Cornish rock garden
    Mini golf in a Cornish rock garden
  • Recent projects

    Pile Mat Design, Plymouth

    Geogrids were used as part of a pile mat design for a site in Plymouth. Calculations, which were undertaken in accordance with BRE 470: working Platforms for Tracked Plant, showed that a significant reduction in the platform thickness could be achieved if geogrid was incorporated into the platform construction, reducing the temporary works costs. Calculations were carried out for geogrids of varying tensile strength so that cost-benefit analyses could be carried out.

  • Recent projects

    Groundwater Monitoring for Retaining Wall Design, Devon

    Following a geotechnical investigation, groundwater monitoring was undertaken to provide data for the design of a proposed retaining wall. Due to the site’s locality, near to a tidal estuary, monitoring visits were carefully considered, to ensure that the high tidal range, and the groundwater table’s response, was reflected in the data. The level of the groundwater table and groundwater pressures were critical to the retaining wall design. Limited data and/ or conservative assumptions could have resulted in the overdesign of the structure, with construction costs significantly more than they should have been.

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