EROSION CONTROL SIMPLIFIED BY MODERNIZED METAL GABION

Controlling erosion and stabilizing soils with gabions, a single rock filled wire device, has increased in popularity. Successfully application of gabions in the United States include retaining walls along realigned banks, boat launching ramps, seawalls and storm drainage channels. Todays' gabion is a compartmental rectangular container made of thick steel wire which will not unravel even when cut. At the installation site, the container is filled with large-sized crushed rock or pit-run stones. When gabions are used on land or in fresh water, the wire is generally 11-gauge and galvanized for salt water, polluted streams, or highly-corrosive conditions, the wire is 12-gauge, galvanized and coated with PVC. Gabions offer a number of advantages such as their flexibility and strength, their ability to permit and support plant growth which adds a live coating to the mesh and rock, they are economical and require little maintenance. Gabions are supplied folded, tied in pairs and packed in compressed bundles. Each gabion is placed by hand or by crane into its desired location, where work room is limited or underwater placement required, gabions can be filled first and then put into position. Major applications of gabions include the following: Revetments, preventing erosion of river embankments; retaining walls; protection of bridge abutments; deflecting current from the banks into a desired course; protecting lakeshore property by absorbing and dissipating wave energy; and, providing attractive and natural building blocks for decorative landscaping.

• Corporate Authors:

  Dixie Contractor, Incorporated

  525 Marshall Street, P.O. Box 280
  Decatur, GA  United States  30031
• Authors:
  • ROTH, L
• Publication Date: 1977-9-23

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: p. 17-24
• Serial:
  • Dixie Contractor
  • Volume: 52
  • Issue Number: 8
  • Publisher: Dixie Contractor, Incorporated

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge abutments; Coasts; Costs; Crushed rock; Deflection; Erosion control; Gabions; Maintenance; Retaining walls; Revetments; Seas; Soil stabilization; Strength of materials; Wire
• Old TRIS Terms: Coastal; Marine atmospheres
• Subject Areas: Finance; Geotechnology; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00170428
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 12 1978 12:00AM