What Is a Gabion?

Gabion is a cage-like structure made up of wire mesh and filled with rock. It’s used in landscaping for retaining walls and offers a rugged, industrial look that pairs well with other hardscape elements.

Gabions can use materials found onsite, which helps reduce transportation costs and fuel consumption. They are easy to assemble and can be used for many different types of projects.

History

Thousands of years ago, people used gabion cylinders filled with stones to prevent runaway riverbank erosion in Egypt. Today, people use modern versions of this cage-like construction method all over the world for a wide range of civil engineering and landscaping applications.

Gabions are strong, versatile and have a high lifespan. They are typically made of heavy, durable steel and are designed to withstand the pressure of fill materials and the elements. Because of this, they are a popular choice for bridge decking and bridge approaches, dams, retaining walls, foundations, pathways, trenches and even sculptures.

Often seen in Mediterranean locations, gabions are becoming increasingly popular in the UK as gardeners and landscapers turn them into decorative structures. For instance, gabions can be used to create a low rise bench by attaching a wooden top to the cylinders. They can also be used to divide properties or driveways just like a traditional garden fence. Gabions are also excellent for constructing water features such as rock gardens, waterfalls and pond liners. In fact, they were even used as a water feature on Alan Titmarsh’s show Love Your Garden.

During flood events, gabions are very effective at mitigating the impact of rising waters. Because they Gabion are so strong and contain heavy stone fillings, they help to reduce the force of water on vulnerable buildings or river banks. People also employ gabions for channel lining and river training to increase the stability of slopes or rivers.

Functions

Gabions are wire mesh baskets, cages or cylinders compactly filled with stones, and play a key role in civil engineering projects, road building, military applications, gardening and landscaping. Their durability and strength make them ideal for erosion control structures. They’re also versatile and easy to customize for each application. They can be made to fit any design aesthetic, and you can use onsite or recycled materials to reduce your carbon footprint.

Erosion is a serious problem for commercial landscapes, and it can destroy plants and create uneven surfaces. Gabions are a great way to protect your commercial landscape from erosion and prevent soil loss. Gabions are strong enough to withstand torrential rains and other natural phenomena. They’re also flexible, which means they can adapt to ground movement without losing their integrity. This flexibility also allows them to bridge gaps and snags.

The primary function of gabions is to stabilize slopes and riverbanks, but they can also be used to stabilize roads or paths. They’re particularly useful when crossing ephemeral drainages, as they help stabilize the flow and sieve out excess water from the soil. By slowing down the speed of runoff, gabions can mitigate erosion and prevent flooding. This makes them a popular choice for streambank stabilization and erosion control. Additionally, they can be used to alleviate seepage issues on slopes.

Materials

We can see gabions in civil engineering projects such as bridges or retaining walls, but they’re increasingly seen in residential and commercial landscaping endeavors too. This is because, compared to concrete, they leave less of a footprint and aren’t limited to just one type of environment.

Gabions are usually made of heavy-duty galvanized wire mesh. This is often used gabion baskets wholesale for a variety of reasons, including flood control, soil stabilization, erosion and riverbank protection, and aesthetic design. Gabions can be filled with a wide range of materials, such as bricks, river rock, shells, glass and logs. Those being used for aesthetic purposes can have different facing stones to create a unique look.

Because they’re designed to withstand both tension and compression, gabions offer a higher level of flexibility than other retaining wall constructions. This means they can be shaped to form stairways or walkways in your garden, or even to build a garden bench. They can also be formed into a maze-like pathway or to create a barrier between your patio and your garden.

The nooks and crannies of gabion walls are ideal for wildlife habitats, too, as they can serve as nesting areas. This is a great feature for those who enjoy sharing their landscape with local birds and insects. However, it may not be desirable for some people if they’re looking to keep their garden clean and free from animal droppings.

Installation

Gabions are pre-measured baskets or panels that can be stacked or lined up to form a wall. They can also be shaped and built in different ways to serve various purposes. They can be sculpted into stairways, maze-like pathways, walls to divide your patio from the garden or even made into sculptures.

Gabion structures can be constructed using local, recycled or onsite materials and are a more cost-effective solution than traditional concrete walls. They are also environmentally friendly, require less energy to build and can be easily adapted to the surrounding environment.

The first step in building a gabion wall is to prepare the site for construction. The site should be cleared of any weeds, roots or rocks and should have a firm, level working surface. The next step is to construct a base for the gabion structure, either with a concrete footer or with a sand or gravel backfill. This will help to stabilize the structure and ensure that it will not sink once the stone is added.

Once the base is completed, the gabion baskets or walls can be assembled on site. It is important to note that gabions should be filled with angular, smooth stones for optimal stability. A minimum of 6 inches of stone should be placed in each box. After filling, the gabion should be secured with bracing ties. These should be placed 4 meshes from the weld to prevent heavy deformation that can weaken the weld.