Description

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.

Gabion wire mesh properties

Wire mesh used to manufacture the cage of gabion shall poses certain properties otherwise it might not serve its purpose properly. Table 1 provides the desired properties of gabion wire mesh. Table-1: Gabion wire mesh properties

Raw material

Gabion wire mesh properties

Technical properties

Unit

Descriptions

Tolerances

Mesh

mm

50x70, 60x80, 80x100, and 100x120

---

Maximum wire thickness

mm

2-5

0.05

Amount of covering

gr/m2

30-300

5

Tensile strength

MPa

350-2000

2

Elongation (25cm long)

---

10%

---

Zinic coating strength

Turns

5

Shall not break or crack

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.