A gabion retaining wall is a type of retaining wall that is constructed by filling wire mesh containers (gabions) with rocks or other materials. The gabions are then stacked on top of each other to create a wall. The wire mesh containers allow water to pass through, reducing the pressure on the wall.
The purpose of a gabion retaining wall is to provide structural support and stability to prevent soil or other materials from moving downhill. They are commonly used in erosion control, roadway embankments, and retaining walls.
There are several types of gabion retaining walls:
- Gravity gabion retaining wall: This type of wall relies on its weight and the weight of the material it is holding back to provide stability.
- Cantilever gabion retaining wall: This type of wall uses a cantilevered structure to resist the lateral pressure of the soil behind it.
- Counterfort gabion retaining wall: This type of wall uses a series of vertical concrete counterforts to support the gabions.
The criteria for using a gabion retaining wall include:
- Wall height: Gabion retaining walls are suitable for walls up to about 30 feet high.
- Soil type: Gabion retaining walls are suitable for cohesive soils and soils with low permeability. They may not be suitable for loose or unstable soils.
- Load bearing capacity: The wall must be able to withstand the weight of the material it is holding back, as well as any additional loads placed on it.
- Water table: If the water table is high, proper drainage must be provided to prevent water from accumulating behind the wall, which could increase the pressure on the wall.
Gabion retaining walls can be used in a variety of applications, including:
- Erosion control: Gabion retaining walls can be used to prevent erosion and landslides along riverbanks and shorelines.
- Roadway embankments: Gabion retaining walls can be used to stabilize slopes along roads and highways.
- Retaining walls: Gabion retaining walls can be used to create retaining walls for commercial and residential properties.
