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

    20 Oct 2026

    Creative geotechnical photography

    Inspired by her surroundings at RHS Rosemoor, where she was carrying out the ground investigation for a new educational facility, and with one eye on the Ruddlesden geotechnical site photograph of the year competition, Catherine Greed got creative with her site photography recently, framing the dynamic sampling rig within the last of the summer flowers.

    Creative geotechnical photography

  • Recent projects

    Subsidence Investigation, Exeter

    A void was encountered during construction works beneath an existing residential property in Exeter. It was feared that the void might compromise the integrity of the property, as the existing foundations were no longer being supported. Ruddlesden geotechnical were called out on behalf of a consulting engineer to investigate the ground conditions, to assess possible reasons for movement and to provide appropriate remedial recommendations. The Phase 1 geotechnical assessmentindicated that this was likely to be due to a damaged rainwater downpipe, which had resulted in the wash-out of loose fines within made ground, associated with the basement of a historical property, present prior to the construction of the Victorian terrace. A subsequent geotechnical investigation, which comprised hand-held window samples and dynamic probes within the footprint of the existing building, indicated that the made ground was in the region of 3m thick and was present beneath the central and eastern-half of the building. Ruddlesden recommended that, to guarantee the serviceability and integrity of the existing building, the foundations be underpinned on to the underlying breccia using cantilevered mini-piles or the made ground be consolidated using a low-mobility grout.

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  • 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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