Gabion Retaining Wall

Gabion retaining wall, soemtimes called gabion wall or retaining wall, is formed with gabion baskets stacking atop one another, and it plays a positive role in earth retaining, mud-rock flow prevention, slope stabilization, landslide treatment, and soil erosion control, etc. The walls are regarded as a flexible and free drainage system, which can effectively resist the disturbing forces. During the building of gabion retaining walls, in order to achieve the effect of stability and an aesthetic appearance, it is suggested that the walls should be inclined from the vertical plane by 6 or 10 degrees.

Gabion retaining walls are flexible structures where the design is based on the mass of the gabions providing stability against the disturbing forces due to the soil and surcharges.In general gabion retaining walls are inclined at 6 degrees from the vertical to improve stability, with the correct gabion specification the inclination can be increased normally to a maximum of 10 degrees which can provide cost savings in design. Care should be taken in designing vertical walls because of their flexible nature.

Gabion retaining wall can either be designed with a stepped or flush face to suit requirements. Planting on the steps can be achieved to green up gabion structures. Flush faced walls can be clad with timber if the aesthetics of a stone face are not in keeping with the environment.

Features of Gabion Retaining Wall:
1. Environmentally acceptable - the use of local rock and soils for backfill is encouraged, with the subsequent growth of vegetative cover.
2. Flexible - able to settle and move without failure even on unstable soils.
3. Economical - suitable stone is normally found on site or from a nearby commercial rock supply.
4. The gabion retaining wall has a high compressive resistance (rock) and tensile (mesh) strength.
5. The gabion retaining wall allow the free passage of water through the structure, and weep holes are unnecessary.
6. Vegetation can be incorporated within or over the structures to blend in with the local environment.
7. The integrity of a local ecosystem within a river is unaffected by gabions as they allow the free flow of water and growth of plants through their structure.

Applications:
Gabion retaining wall is being used to construct an access track along the length of an existing train station. The access track will be used by a pilling rig that will be required to place new foundation when the existing station is demolished and the new railway station constructed. It is constructed both sides of railway line and has to be constructed and backfilled in 4m lengths. This limits the chance of slipage to the embankment.