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

    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

    Cliff Stability Assessment, Dorset

    There was a stability risk at a cliff-top site on the Isle of Portland, as indicated by a Phase 1 Geotechnical Assessment, previously undertaken by Ruddlesden geotechnical. Ruddlesden geotechnical were commissioned to assess the potential for landslip, ascertain the likely landslip mechanism and causation and determine the relative risk of collapse. Due to restricted access, rope accesstechniques were utilised to collect rock mass data for use in structural kinematic analyses to ascertain the likely failure modes. The results of the kinematic analyses (and site observations) indicated the potential for rockfall and wedge-type failures within the top 10m of the cliff-top, confined to one particular geological unit. Remedial measures, comprising rock-bolting and meshing, were recommended to maintain the existing cliff profile and hence long-term stability of the site.

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  • Recent projects

    Deep Bore Soakaways, Devon

    Deep-bore soakaway drains were recommended by Ruddlesden geotechnical following observations made during conventional soakaway testing in accordance with BRE DG 365 at a proposed residential development site in Torbay. Previous geotechnical investigation and near-surface geophysics, undertaken as part of a solution feature investigation, had indicated that the use of conventional shallow soakaway drains could lead to the loss of near surface soils through underlying cavernous limestone, potentially leading to a heightened long term subsidence risk of the ground. It was considered that the careful use of deep bore soakaways could mitigate this risk, by transferring surface water into competent limestone at depth, beneath the weathered zone where concentrated flows could trigger subsidence of the ground. The installation of the deep bore soakaways was supervised by Ruddlesden geotechnical, who also carried out in-situ constant head permeability testing post-installation, to confirm the performance of the soakaway drains and the design parameters.

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