Ground engineering
Formerly BAM Ritchies, providing sustainable, reliable and cost-efficient geotechnical expertise
BAM’s capability is unique, because we cover the full breadth of ground engineering services in-house. We take the holistic view: so whether you need to understand the ground or an asset, solve a complex ground problem, test earthwork, repair concrete, install piling or blast rock efficiently and with minimum environmental impact, we have teams of specialists to help you meet the challenge.
Through early engagement we find innovative solutions that add value, help you manage risk and support informed decision making. We provide end to end support across the entire project lifecycle; streamlining delivery, enhancing certainty, and helping you achieve outstanding outcomes.
Our teams of experienced professionals work with public and private sector customers. Whether we’re working on local projects or national critical infrastructure, for us it’s about delivering technical excellence that you can rely on to be sustainable, cost-effective and innovative: a safe pair of hands.
100
%
of our plant supports diesel-free projects
9
core services combining to deliver concept-to-operation ground engineering
2025
Ground Engineering Contractor of the Year
230
+
team members accredited by professional bodies
What we do
We’re the only UK ground engineering services contractor with the full breadth of key capabilities in house.
- Ground investigation
Using our sustainable, digitally enabled ground investigation systems, we deliver high-quality data in challenging environments - Instrumentation and monitoring
We’ll plan, install, record, process and report: giving you real-time data to help inform your decision-making and safeguard your assets at every step - Rock drill and blast
As the country’s largest drill and blast contractor, we’re responsible for over 40% of UK production. Our expertise covers quarries, borrow pits, pyrotechnics, underwater and civil blasting - Soil nails and catch fences
We design and construct reliable solutions to stabilise new and existing embankments, soil slopes and rock faces - Grouting operations
Our digital-first approach takes the guesswork out of grouting at any scale, treatment of abandoned mines mines to specialist high intensity grouting - Complex piling
From rock-socketed piles to working with severely restricted access, we thrive on delivering the most challenging piling solutions - Ground anchors
BAM can design and install temporary and permanent solutions to tie back retaining walls, strengthen foundations, stabilise slopes and much more - Concrete and tunnel repairs
We carry out vital surface and underground repairs – covering sprayed concrete, wet or dry solutions and structural repairs – using both robotic and hand-controlled solutions - Material testing
Our fully-accredited labs run anytime, anywhere to deliver insight and 100% validation: from earth embankments to nuclear power stations
“The BAM team gave us absolute confidence throughout in their technical competence and ability to maintain the health of our assets while they completed the extended blasting programme. The level of control and safety focus shown by the site team was exemplary.”
Gary Milne
Project Manager, SSE
“…outstanding initiatives for staff development, with clear and demonstrable incorporation of feedback from staff and suppliers. The company clearly recognises where it adds value I the market and has aligned its diverse capabilities to support high-value clients. Sustainability is clearly a high priority.”
Ground Engineering Awards 2025
Case studies: our services in action
With over 60 years in the business, we’ve built a reputation as the go-to ground engineering team for complex problem solving and best-value sustainable delivery: with no surprises. We’ve been involved in a huge variety of projects: from the London 2012 Olympics, Crossrail and Hinkley Point C, to the V&A Museum, Thames Tideway and more.
Discover more about some of our key projects…
We are part of Royal BAM Group. Copyright © 2026 BAM UK & Ireland. All rights reserved.