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

    29 Sep 2026

    Michelmores 5K 2026

    Earlier this month, Team Ruddlesden had another fun evening with at the Michelmores 5k, which is a great event that raises valuable money and awareness for charity, which was Hospiscare this year. Aftwerwards, in what is becoming a bit of a tradition, it was nice to catch up with our friends at AWP, over a few drinks at the Topsham Brewery.And a special congrats to Ian Curnow from Groundsure, but running for Team Ruddlesden, who won a prize for first veteran!

    Michelmores 5K 2026
    Michelmores 5K 2026

  • Recent projects

    Solution Feature Investigation, Brixham

    A solution feature investigation and assessment was undertaken by Ruddlesden geotechnical at the site of a proposed residential development in Brixham. The consulting engineer had recommended Ruddlesden, having prior experience with solution features (caves) beneath another residential development site within the area. Based on the findings of the Phase 1 geotechnical assessment, the site was considered to be at high risk of being underlain by solution features that could affect the proposed development. A geotechnical investigation, comprising a combination of open-hole rotary ‘probes’ and cored boreholes, was undertaken. The boreholes were targeted on the corners of the proposed plots. The investigation indicated that one of the plots was underlain by a substantial cave (up to 5m high), at a depth of less than 10m below existing ground level. The cave appeared to be filled with sediment and the overlying rock had dilated and partially collapsed into the cave as a result of its presence. Nevertheless, following a detailed assessment of the ground conditions encountered, it was considered that there was a sufficient thickness of competent limestone present to bridge the cave and that a reinforced concrete ground beam would be able to support the proposed property (even in the event of ground subsidence) and that there was no requirement for infilling of the solution feature or piling the foundations to competent rock beneath the cave.

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  • Recent projects

    Rotary Borehole Rig Craned-In, in Devon

    Rotary cored boreholes were undertaken as part of a geotechnical investigation for the proposed retaining wall in North Devon. Restricted access meant that the drilling rig had to be craned onto the site. Cores of the rock were recovered and logged by our engineering geologist to confirm the strength, composition, and state and geometry of discontinuities within the bedrock, for use in the design of the proposed retaining wall, which was supporting a public highway and required to facilitate the development. Downhole geophysics was subsequently undertaken to provide further information on the fracture orientation and in-situ condition.

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