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Structural Soils

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Structural Soils

Since 1964 providing comprehensive UK ground investigation services, 285 staff, certified to ISO9001

Award winning, Structural Soils Ltd is a British company established in 1964 as a site investigation contractor. Based in Bristol, with branch offices in Coventry, Castleford near Leeds, Hemel Hempstead, Glasgow, Wigan, Plymouth, and Tonbridge, the company operates throughout the United Kingdom and undertakes overseas contracts. With over 57 years experience, the company has an impressive list of clients including consulting engineers, architects, local and statutory authorities, government bodies, limited companies and private individuals. The company’s experience provides a sound knowledge of all aspects of geotechnical engineering and Structural Soils staff are always ready to give advice. As the company operates various boring and drilling rigs and associated equipment, an investigation can be designed to suit the client’s requirement and obtain information in the most efficient manner. Samples are tested in the company’s own well-equipped UKAS-accredited laboratories in Bristol, Castleford, Hemel Hempstead and Tonbridge. The technical staff are highly qualified and include civil engineers, geologists, engineering geologists, chemists and environmental scientists who prepare both factual and interpretative reports in accordance with the client’s requirements. Structural Soils’ continuing growth is enhanced by its reputation, competitive rates and quick response. Becoming a member of RSK Group in 2007, the company can also offer other group services such as ecology and geophysics as part of overall site investigations. Furthermore, chemical testing is undertaken within the group.

12/09/2026

Thanks to Sam and Karl for drilling a 30m hole in 10” in 22 seconds.

Part of the RSK Group

10/09/2026

⚽ Structural Soils are proud to become the kit sponsor for Whitnash U14s for the next two seasons.

The team recently celebrated winning their league and securing promotion, reflecting the hard work, commitment and teamwork shown by players, coaches and parents throughout the season.

Supporting local sports clubs is one of the ways we can give back to the communities where we live and work. Grassroots football helps young people build confidence, develop teamwork skills and stay active while enjoying the game they love.

As part of the sponsorship, the team will wear new kits featuring the Structural Soils logo as they take on the challenges of a higher division.

Talaat Mousa Principal Technical Manager at Structural Soils, said:

"I'm proud that Structural Soils has chosen to support Whitnash U14s. Having recently won their league and earned promotion, the team has shown what can be achieved through hard work, dedication, and teamwork. As a parent, I've seen first-hand the commitment these young players bring every week, and it's fantastic to work for a company that supports local communities and helps young people thrive."

Congratulations to everyone at Whitnash U14s on their success, and we wish them every success for the seasons ahead.

Part of the RSK Group

03/09/2026

What’s beneath your feet? More than you might think...

When most people see a new building, road, railway or bridge, they focus on what is being built above ground.

But before any of that can happen, someone needs to understand what lies beneath.

That's where ground investigation (GI) comes in.
Ground investigation helps answer questions such as:
🔹 What soils and rocks are present?
🔹 Is the ground strong enough to support the proposed development?
🔹 Are there any contamination issues?
🔹 Is groundwater likely to affect construction?
🔹 What risks need to be managed before work starts?

Today, our Eric Downey had the pleasure of delivering a presentation on the fundamentals of ground investigation to Oscar Billing, Alex Ivey, Katie McGrail, Edward Tye and Samuel Bowness.

It was great to introduce them to an industry that sits at the heart of so many construction and infrastructure projects, yet often goes unnoticed by those outside the profession.

Getting these answers right can save significant time, cost and disruption later in a project. Good ground investigation helps designers, engineers and clients make informed decisions from the very start.

What makes this field particularly interesting is the variety. Ground investigation brings together geology, engineering, environmental science, construction and problem-solving. No two sites are ever the same.

For anyone starting out in the industry, Eric's advice is simple:
✅ Ask questions
✅ Visit sites whenever you can
✅ Learn from drillers, engineers, lab and technicians and geologists alike
✅ Stay curious about how things work

The group were highly engaged throughout the session, asked some thoughtful questions and were a pleasure to present to. Hopefully it provided a useful insight into the important role ground investigation plays in delivering safe and successful projects.

Investing time in developing the next generation of geologists, engineers and environmental professionals is something I always enjoy, and I look forward to seeing where their careers take them.

part of the RSK Group

18/08/2026

Eleven bags of litter. Ninety minutes of teamwork. A cleaner environment for the local community.

This afternoon, colleagues from Structural Soils took the opportunity to give something back to the local community through a litter pick in Devonport, Plymouth.

Working along St Leven’s Road, past the primary school and to a children's play park and green space, the team spent 1½ hours collecting 11 bags of rubbish. Equipped with litter pickers and hoops kindly loaned by Plymouth Clean Our Patch, they helped improve an area used daily by local residents and families.

Social value is not always measured by large community projects. Sometimes it comes from rolling up your sleeves, investing a little time, and leaving a place better than you found it.

A huge thank you to Rich Woodall, Aled Bevan, Dan Jones, Barry Wright, Emily Whitworth, Toby-Joe Robinson, Max Gamble and Helen Perry-Smith for their efforts and enthusiasm.

Thank you also to Plymouth Clean Our Patch for supporting the initiative and providing the equipment.

It's great to see our teams making a positive contribution to the communities where we live and work, even during a temporary pause in site activities.

part of the RSK Group

30/07/2026

A great example of why we should always think twice before throwing something away.

A big well done to Simon Lathwell for transforming a collection of surplus site materials into a colourful and welcoming planting area.

Using an old IBC container, redundant concrete rings, and even spent core boxes, Simon has created a series of planters that are now brightening up the yard. What could easily have ended up in a skip has instead been given a second life.

As a ground investigation contractor, we generate and handle a lot of materials every day. Simon's project is a simple reminder that with a bit of imagination and effort, many items can be repurposed rather than discarded.
The results speak for themselves. The planters not only look fantastic but also support biodiversity and make the working environment a more pleasant place for everyone.

It's easy to talk about sustainability. It's much harder to put it into practice. Simon has done exactly that, using materials that were already on site and showing what can be achieved with a bit of creativity and hard work.

A lesson to us all: before something becomes waste, ask whether it could have a useful second life.

Well done and thank you Simon. 🌱♻️

Part of the RSK Group

23/07/2026

A Sweet Success for a Wonderful Cause 🍦🍰

A huge well done to Oliver Fiddaman , who has raised an incredible £800+ through a homemade ice cream and cake sale in support of the CASK Research Foundation and CASK Gene Awareness Day.

Oliver's youngest daughter, Evie, lives with CASK gene disorder, an extremely rare genetic condition that affects only around 300 people worldwide.

The CASK Foundation provides vital support for families and helps drive research into a condition that is still not widely understood.

The enthusiasm shown by colleagues, friends and supporters has been fantastic, helping to raise more than £800 so far. Every ice cream and cake purchased has contributed to a very meaningful cause.

Now, let's see if we can help Oliver take the total beyond £1,000.

If you would like to support this important work, please consider making a donation to the CASK Research Foundation. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps support research and families affected by this rare condition.

You can find out more about the charity and donate here:

https://justgiving.com/page/ssl4cask

Thank you to everyone who has already donated and supported Oliver's fundraising efforts. Let's help him reach the £1,000 milestone. 👏

Part of the RSK Group

21/07/2026

Bristol and Cardiff University Students Visit Ground Investigation Site at IKB Academy, Keynsham

Today, Eric Downey hosted a site visit for Jenny Dawson (Cardiff University / Prifysgol Caerdydd ) and Fin Adams and Emilia Sawyer (University of Bristol ), providing an opportunity to see ground investigation works in action.

There is no substitute for gaining practical experience in the field, and the visit gave the students valuable exposure to several common ground investigation techniques used on live projects.

The group observed Phil and Rob carrying out window sampling operations, advancing boreholes to 5m depth before checking for groundwater ingress by dipping the holes.

They also watched Paul undertake CBR testing using a trusty Toyota Motor Corporation Hilux as kentledge, demonstrating the practical solutions often employed during site investigations.

The students also had the opportunity to practise their soil logging skills and gained an appreciation of the importance of safe working practices by completing a Point of Work Risk Assessment (POWRA) before one of the window sample locations was drilled.

Following the site visit, Eric took the students on a tour of several local infrastructure and development projects. This included a stop at the Avon Ring Road crossing over both the Great Western Railway (GWR) and the River Avon, highlighting the engineering challenges associated with major transport infrastructure.

The tour concluded with a visit to Longwell Green Leisure Centre and Cinema, a project where Eric had been involved in the ground investigations many years ago. Looking back at completed developments provides a useful reminder of how ground investigation supports projects from concept through to construction and long-term operation.

Supporting the next generation of geologists and geotechnical engineers remains an important part of the industry. Site visits such as these help bridge the gap between academic study and real-world practice, giving students a better understanding of the skills, planning and teamwork required to deliver successful ground investigations.

We would like to wish Jenny, Finlay and Emilia every success with the remainder of their studies and future careers.

Part of the RSK Group

25/06/2026

A recent day on site at Almondsbury was one to remember.

We were on site supporting a proposed 4.9MW solar farm development on agricultural land within the airbase. Working on behalf of Bristol Energy Cooperative and the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity, the team completed a focused programme of ground investigation in a single day.

Scope included:
Trial pitting
Soakaway testing
Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) testing
Thermal and electrical resistivity testing

It was a full day in very hot conditions, but a good example of how targeted site work and prompt interpretative reporting can keep projects moving.

What made this project particularly meaningful was the involvement of Great Western Air Ambulance Charity. For one of our own colleagues, Eric Downey this organisation goes far beyond being a client.

They quite literally saved the life of Katharine Downey following a cardiac arrest, using their enhanced pre-hospital care skills before transferring Katharine to hospital. After her recovery, it was a privilege to for them to visit the team and see first-hand the work that they do every day.

Projects like this are a reminder that the work we support goes beyond infrastructure. It connects people, communities, and in this case, an organisation that makes a real difference when it matters most.

Thanks to Bristol Energy Cooperative and Great Western Air Ambulance Charity for the opportunity to support the project.

part of the RSK Group

24/06/2026

We are proud to have sponsored the Chew Valley Foxes U10 and U11 teams.

Here they are at their end-of-season Chew Valley FC Annual Awards Day. The girls celebrated the commitment, progress and teamwork they’ve shown throughout the season.

This local team is managed and coached by volunteers and relies on sponsors like SSL to keep going. The sponsorship goes towards the kit, footballs, goals, hire costs for the pitch, bibs and other essential equipment – it all adds up!

The Foxes said, “We’re very grateful to SSL for sponsoring us – we love our kit!”.

And it’s not over yet... the SSL sponsorship will keep them going another season 🙌🏼🏆⚽

Part of the RSK Group

23/06/2026

Structural Soils well represented at this year’s RSK People Awards.
A great evening representing the business alongside our MD, Stephen Mackereth.

Proud to say both Mike Addinall and Eric Downey were finalists this year. A real achievement and a strong reflection of the team.

It meant a lot to be recognised alongside so many colleagues from across the wider group and to see the range of talent and effort being celebrated.

Mike’s nomination highlights the time and care he puts into outreach and supporting the next generation coming into the industry. A lot of that work happens quietly, but its impact is clear.

Eric’s nomination reinforces how important strong communication and teamwork are across the business, whether that’s celebrating colleagues’ achievements, supporting award entries, sharing project success or promoting our STEM activities.

The event itself was a great opportunity to catch up, reflect and celebrate with colleagues from across RSK.

Congratulations to all the winners and finalists across the group. Plenty to be proud of.

And a big thank you to everyone involved in organising such a well-run event.
RSK Group

Address

The Old School, Stillhouse Lane
Bristol
BS34EB

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5:30pm
Tuesday	9am - 5:30pm
Wednesday	9am - 5:30pm
Thursday	9am - 5:30pm
Friday	9am - 5:30pm

Website

http://www.soils.co.uk/

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