Gabion

Gabions are used in many situations including the stabilization of earth movement and erosion, river control, reservoirs, canal refurbishment, landscaping and retaining walls. They can be manufactured in welded mesh or woven wire. Welded mesh gabions are faster to erect and do not need tensioning. This allows them to keep their shape, to be free from bulges and depressions and fit easily against the wall. It is possible to cut holes in them if needed to pass pipes etc through and they can be machine filled.

•  Aesthetics: Gabions look natural and can tie a house to the landscape by using filler materials excavated from the site or the local terrain.

• Environmental friendliness: When onsite material is used as filler, transportation costs and associated fuel consumption are eliminated.

• Sustainability: Used as shade screens in hot climates, gabion walls provide passive cooling; they allow air to move through, providing ventilation.

•  Permeability: Gabions are permeable and free-draining; they can’t be washed away by moving water.

•  Easy installation and built-in strength: The stone fill settles to the contours of the ground beneath it and has such frictional strength that no foundation is required. In fact, the wall’s strength and effectiveness may increase with time, as silt and vegetation fill the voids and reinforce the structure. Another advantage over more rigid structures: Gabions can conform to ground movement.

• Long-lasting.