Retaining Walls – Gabbions

Gabbions are big wire baskets filled with rocks.

The baskets are typically available for retaining wall use in 1m x 1m x 2m units. and you arrange the rock fill yourself.

Gabbion walls can be described as a Permeable, Steel Reinforced, Low Skill, Dry Stone Wall.

Low Skill however doesn’t mean no skill so don’t just tip the rocks in. For best results the rocks need to be adjusted to pack them tightly into the baskets.

In my view the best looking gabbions are the square mesh ones like the photo above.
gabbion 2
If appearance is not an issue then there are these standard units, on the right, that have a more basic mesh.

Although the wall is permeable and doesn’t need an aggi drain behind it I would still advise a layer of fine gravel. This prevents fine soil particles being washed through the gabbion, as has occurred in the lower section of this wall.

 

To know more about retaining walls follow this link: Understanding Retaining Walls

2 Comments

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