Gabion constructions: purpose, varieties, requirements

Behind the exotic word "gabion" lies a construction woven from a metal wire and filled with stones, pebbles or rubble of a standard fraction. At present, such gabion constructions of seemingly inexpensive source materials are in great demand both in civil engineering and in military affairs.

Appointment

The main purpose of such building elements as gabion constructions, the price for which ranges from 950 to 8,300 rubles for one metal structure, has been used in the world practice for more than a century as a strengthening element of soil slopes, banks of reservoirs, road embankments and other engineering structures. The cost varies depending on the size of the structure and the filler fraction (pebbles, gravel, stone).

In individual construction, gabions are used to strengthen the banks of private water bodies, to build retaining walls and even to create various architectural forms on the site. The production of gabion structures enables the terrain to be changed and a number of engineering works carried out on the terrain without threatening the ecosystem of the territory.

The main types of gabion structures

In essence, the gabion consists of two elements - a gabion net and filler. Manufacturers today offer consumers three types of such designs:

1. Boxed.

2. Cylindrical.

3. Mattresses.

Box-shaped elements are produced in the form of a parallelepiped and can be of various sizes. The width is at least 1 meter and can reach up to 2, the length of the structure can be in the range of 2-6 meters, the height from 50 cm to 100. To increase the strength characteristics inside the gabion, panels-diaphragms - additional elements for reinforcement can be installed.

Cylindrical structures are in the form of a cylinder. 2-4 meters - the range of variation in the length of one element, the diameter - from 65 to 95 cm. For cylindrical designs is more flexible than box-type, which is due to the lack of stiffeners.

The standard height of mattress elements is 20-30 cm (the most commonly used is 23 cm). The width can vary within 1-2 meters, length - from 1 to 6 meters. Such structures easily repeat the shape of the relief and can serve as a foundation for structures from box-shaped elements.

Advantages of gabions

Gabion structures have certain advantages. Their flexibility is ensured by a double-torsion metal mesh that can withstand any type of stress without breaking. Even with a strong erosion of the soil at the base of the gabion, the structure is usually just slightly deformed, but in no case collapses.

Strength of structural elements is due to the characteristics of a double torsion net, which, in essence, is a reinforcing factor for the entire structure. The combination of gabion elements with each other with the use of galvanized wire turns the entire structure into a monolithic object.

Gabions are water-permeable, therefore, one can erect structures without fear of hydrostatic loads. In the case of erecting retaining walls, there is no need for associated wall drainage.

Gabion structures are environmentally friendly, as they do not interfere with the ecosystem of the site. With the passage of time, voids between the stones are filled with soil, vegetation begins to grow. After a period of 1 to 5 years, the design is fully consolidated with the surrounding landscape and can serve indefinitely.

In comparison with reinforced concrete structures, gabionnye are very economical. There is no need for the use of heavy equipment, the preliminary construction of drainage systems. The gabion filler (stone) is initially ready for use, it does not need to be processed and customized.

Grid for gabions

Gabion netting, one of the main elements in the production of gabion structures, is produced by double twisting of wire of the following types:

- with a coating of zinc (not less than 0.25 kg / m²);

- with an increased anti-corrosion coating;

- with PVC coating.

In order for the gabions to have sufficient strength, special binding wire is also used in production. It also has certain requirements. It should not have tears, its ends can be joined by twisting (length - no more than 20 cm) or extension. On an area of 20 m² there should not be more than 1 twist.

Gabion filler

Gabions can be filled with both ground stones and corner stones. In its dimensions, filler (stone, crushed stone, pebbles) should be such that it does not pass through the grid cell. Optimal consumers consider the size from 1D to 2D, where D is the diameter of the grid cell. However, according to experts, gabion structures made of filler with a size of 1D-1.5D will give the most uniform shrinkage across the entire area and perimeter of the structure.

Fillers are also presented with a number of requirements. The stone must be of a certain gravity (different for work on land and in water), have frost resistance more than MP33, strength not less than 400 units, low water absorption. Also, the filler should be resistant to decay, the maximum weight loss should not be more than 10%.