What is Gabion? Its Types, Applications, and Advantages

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.

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 materialGabion wire mesh properties
Technical propertiesUnitDescriptionsTolerances
Meshmm50×70, 60×80, 80×100, and 100×120—
Maximum wire thicknessmm2-50.05
Amount of coveringgr/m230-3005
Tensile strengthMPa350-20002
Elongation (25cm long)—10%—
Zinic coating strengthTurns5Shall not break or crack
Fig. 1: Wire mesh boxes for gabions

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.
Basket gabion
Fig.2 : Basket gabion

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.
gabion mattress
Fig. 3: Gabion mattress

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.
gabion sacks
Fig. 4: Gabion sacks

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.
gabion wire mesh used to prevent rock fall from highway slopes
Fig. 5: Gabion wire mesh used to prevent rock fall from highway slopes

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
decorative gabion elements
Fig. 6: Decorative gabion elements

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 retaining wall for road embankment
Fig. 7: Gabion retaining wall for road embankment
Gabion mattresses used for covering channels to prevent erosion
Fig. 8: Gabion mattresses used for covering channels to prevent erosion
use of gabions in landscaping
Fig. 9: Use of gabions in landscaping
gabions used for aesthetic purpose
Fig. 10: Gabions used for aesthetic purpose

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.