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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

    Residential Redevelopment of Former Garage

    A human health risk assessment at a proposed residential development site in North Devon was undertaken as part of a wider scope of works comprising a Phase 1 and Phase 2 contamination assessment, followed by the production of a remediation strategy and subsequent validation testing. The Phase 1 assessment indicated that the site was a former garage, part of a larger historical coach depot. The Phase 2 contamination investigation, which comprised windowless sample boreholes and contamination laboratory testing, recorded elevated levels of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH)and lead within both made ground and underlying natural soils, associated with a remnant underground storage tank (UST), fuel lines and an off-site tank, within the confines of the former coachworks. The contamination risk assessment indicated the recorded levels of contamination to potentially be harmful to human health, given the proposed residential land use. To protect end users, Ruddlesden recommended that all of the tanks and associated fuel lines be remove, and that all proposed garden/ soft-landscaped areas be capped with a minimum thickness of 600mm topsoil and subsoil underlain by a geotextile membrane. All of Ruddlesden’s reports were approved by the local authority’s environmental health officer and the contaminated land planning condition was satisfied.

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  • Recent projects

    Soakaway Drainage Feasibility Assessment, Cornwall

    Soakaway drainage, combined with sustainable drainage systems (SuDS), was proposed as a means of surface water drainage at a proposed residential development site in Cornwall. Soakaway testing and assessment was as a pre-commencement planning requirement. In order to provide soil infiltration rates for preliminary design, in-situ soakaway testing was undertaken in accordance with BRE DG 365. Close liaison with the consulting engineer ensured that the test locations were targeted at key locations and depths across the site. In addition to considering the infiltration characteristics at the site, as parts the site were relatively steeply sloping, a slope stability assessment was undertaken, to assess how soakaway drainage might affect slope instability; soakaways had to be carefully sited as a result of this. Long-term groundwater level monitoringwas also undertaken to demonstrate that the seasonal high groundwater table would not rise above the base of the soakaway.

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