What is gabion?

Gabion is a welded wire cage or box filled with materials such as stone, concrete, sand, or soil.
So, gabion is a partially flexible block construction used for slope stability and erosion
protection in construction. Various types of gabions are constructed and used in different
engineering constructions.

Sometimes, live rooting branches may be placed between the rock-filled baskets which
improves durability and stability of the gabion. This article presents gabion definition, types,
applications, and advantages.

Types of Gabions

There are number of gabion configurations that can be selected based on their cost and
function. Common types of Gabion are as follows:

1. Gabion baskets

 It is a net wire mesh that produced in box-shaped and in different sizes.

 Used in highway and railway works.

 It would be economical unless filling materials are not available from quarries near the
project site.
2. Gabion mattresses

 Gabion mattresses, also known as reno mattresses.

 Gabion mattresses height is shorter than the other types of measurements as it might be
observed from the Fig. 3.

 It is employed in the channel coating for preventing erosion. So, it tackles wave and
erosion induced velocity.

 Common size, 6 m long by 2 m wide by 0,3 m high.

3. Gabion sacks

 This type of gabions is formed quickly.

 It has a porous and flexible structure.

 Gabion sacks are usually used in hydraulic works in emergency conditions.

4. Gabion wire mesh

 It is utilized to keep the possible rock and stone fall on the highway and railway surfaces.
 Gabion wire mesh maintains stability of the slope close to highway and railways.

 It is applied for anti-erosion to slope.

 It enhances embankment soil strength in combination with geogrid reinforcement.

5. Decorative Gabion Elements

 It is used indoor and outdoor decoration, garden design and landscaping.

 Gabion elements offer suitable environment for the growth of plant roots
Applications of gabions

Gabions are used in several engineering projects and serve various purposes. common
applications of gabions are as follows:

 Retaining structures such as retaining walls (Fig. 7), revetment and toe walls to
embankments and cuttings.

 Corrosion prevention structures for instance sea walls, river bank defenses, canal banks
(Fig. 8), dams, weirs, groynes and for the protection of reservoirs and lakesides.

 cylindrical metal gabion is used for dams or in foundation construction.

 It is employed as a noise barrier.

 Gabions are also used as a temporary flood walls.

 It is utilized to change the direction of the force of flood water around weak structure

 Stepped gabions improve energy dissipation in channels.

 Finally, it is used for aesthetic purposes

Gabion Parts

Helical Spirals

THESE SPIRAL BINDERS ARE EASY TO INSTALL AND ARE THE MOST COMMON
MEANS OF MENDING GABION CORNERS AND JOINING BASKET TO BASKET.
Stiffener Rods

STIFFENER RODS ARE USED TO KEEP GABION BASKETS SQUARE AND

PREVENT BULGING

"C" STYLE HOG RINGS

"C" STYLE GABION HOG RINGS ARE CONSTRUCTED OF 11 GA GALVANIZED

HI-TENSILE STEEL OR TYPE 304 STAINLESS STEEL.
Advantages of gabions

1. Durability

Gabion has a very high resistance to atmospheric corrosion because of the well bonded zinc
coating on the wire and their ability to support vegetation growth.

2. Flexibility

This feature permits the gabion to settle and deform without failure and loss of efficiency.
Specifically, when unstable ground and moving water are encountered.

3. Permeability
It provides automatic and easy drainage which eliminates the need for the installation of
drainage pipes.

4. Strength

Gabions are satisfactory strong that is it is capable of resisting flood force, torrential force,
and ice and earth pressure.

5. Economical

It is more economical in terms of both material and labor in comparison with other gabion
alternatives.

6. Environmentally friendly

Recycled materials can be placed into the gabion cage. The gaps in the soil between filling
materials allow the plantation to grow over time. Gabion elements are not affected by natural
phenomena.