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The use of gabions as an effective solutionto combat erosion and to stabilise andstrengthen embankments has been inevidence for several centuries.

Rivers, coasts, roads and railways can allbe subject to continuous or fluctuatingerosion, demanding planned defenceswhich counteract the forces involved.

Welded-mesh gabion systems are used inmany modern civil engineering schemes toprovide an economic and effectivesolution. They are manufactured fromwelded wire mesh and can be quicklyerected and filled without special skills ormachinery, thereby keeping costs to aminimum.

As with any other civil engine eringmaterial, the life span and integrity of anystructure depends on many factorsincluding the design, the workmanship, thesupervision and the choice of materials. Nosingle system can claim to meet all theconditions on every occasion but it hasbeen proved that welded-mesh gabions,suitably treated or coated, offer an

economic solution to many stabilisationand erosion problems.

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When filled, welded-mesh units havesufficient flexibility to allow somemovement and change in shape shouldsubsidence or settlement occur, whilstretaining their strength and structuralintegrity. Gabion structures are naturallyporous and do not normally require theincorporation of expensive drainagesystems.

GabionsThe term gabion used in the text refers toboth traditional welded-mesh box

gabions and Concertainer gabions. The

Concertainer range of systems is thenext evolutionary step in the constructionof walls through speed of installation.

Welded mesh Box GabionsWelded mesh traditional box gabions are

wire mesh baskets where the side, endand diaphragm panels are factory fitted tothe base panel allowing them to fold flat.

Welded mesh Concertainer Gabions

Welded mesh Concertainer gabions arewire mesh baskets formed by connectingindividual panels of mesh with helicals onthe vertical edge wires creating an openseries of box compartments that fold in aconcertina fashion to be flat packed.

Welded mesh Concertainer Bastions

Welded mesh Concertainer bastions areformed similar to concertainer gabionsbut are factory lined internally with a non-woven geotextile membrane to theperimeter mesh panels of the unit

allowing for a selected granular soil fill tobe used.

Each main cell can be subdivided intoone or more unlined cells at the faceand/or side, normally 300mm wide toallow for a rock facing to the unit.

Cost-effective compared to traditionalreinforced concrete wall construction

Does not require specialised plant or

expertise for installation

Uses locally available rock fill, gradedcrushed concrete or site-won granularmaterial

Aesthetic appearance - natural stonefinish or timber clad

No special foundations normally required

Suitable for both temporary andpermanent structures

Product RangeBackground

tmGabion-Matts

tmGabion-Matts are a cost-effectivealternative to separate mattress andgabion units for river bank protection. The

tmGabion-Matt from Gabion Solutionscome in pre-assembled units foreconomy in construction and guaranteedcontinuity between the gabion facing andthe mattress elements.

tm

TrapionstmTrapions are wire gabion cages that aretrapezoidal in section to permit the easyconstruction of flush-faced (non-stepped)

tmtapered walls. Trapions are used forarchitectural and similar applicationswhere structural integrity combined withgood visual appearance are required

Weldmesh MattressesMattresses are prefabricated and suppliedflat for ease of storage, transport andhandling. They are available in sizes up to6 x 2 x 0.3m.

These are engineered structures designed

to hold back earth or other solid materials

without overturning, sliding or foundation

failure.

The modular structure of these walls

allows for variations in section to be

accommodated as the height increases.

Walls of this type are normally built at an

inclination of six degrees. Weldmesh

gabion and bastion walls can be con-

structed in stepped or flush-faced configu-

rations depending on individual require-

ments. For further details contact the

Gabion Solutions Technical Advisory

Service.

Gabion and bastion

retaining walls

Hydraulic Protection

The flexibility, durability, strength and

permeability properties of Weldmeshgabions, Gabion-Matts and mattressesmake them ideal for riverbank protection.Used for the realignment of rivers, to resistscour and for the prevention of land loss,

Weldmesh reinforcement productsprovide easy maintenance and promotethe smooth flow of water.

Weldmesh Gabion Systems are suitablefor the restoration and maintenance ofcanals where they not only providepermanent bank and bed reinforcementbut also provide protection against wavedamage from the increasing use ofpowered leisure craft.

Reservoirs

Canals

Rivers

tmWeldmesh Gabions, Gabion-Matts andMattresses are highly suitable for thecreation and maintenance of reservoirswhere they can be used to conserve andprotect natural shorelines, resistingerosion by wind and wave action.

Assemble the gabionaccording to thegabion type

Ensure foundationsare as per the design

Ensure all lacing isas per described

Ensure fillingsequence is adheredto

Remember tocorrectly positionthe internal bracing

Minimise voids orbridging of the fillduring the filling

operation

Slightly over fill thegabion beforesecuring the lid

Keep strictly to thelacing procedurecourse to course

Gabion Assembly

Protective CoatingsTwo coating options are readily available:

1. Bezinal 2. Chemically bonded PVC onzinc coated wire to BS 443Bezinal is a zinc-aluminium alloysurface coating which can offer up Suitable for aggressive environ-to t hree times the corrosion ments, this composite coating canresistance of conventional galva- provide a design life of up to 120nised coatings. years in non-aggressive environ-

ments.

TOTAL(yrs)

6.0>10.0>70>80>80

EXPOSURE WIRE DIA(mm)CORROSION RATE

(yrs)

Severe

Mild

3.04.05.03.04.05.0

5.25.25.2505050

Expected deterioration of non-PVCu coated Bezinal coated wire

Gabion Systems forRetaining Wall, Water Course and Architectural Applications

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Standards for Wire Products

Gabion Solutions products comply with the following standards andspecification:

BS1052: 1980Specification for mild steel wire for general engineering purposes

BS EN ISO 1461: 1999Specification for hot dip galvanised coatings on iron and steel articles

BS EN ISO 10244-2: 2001Non-ferrous metallic coatings on steel wire - Part 2: Zinc or zinc alloycoatings on steel wire

BS2782 - Part 5Method 540B 1982 (ISO 4892-1981) Methods of testing plastics -optical colour properties and weathering

BS8002: 1994Code of Practice for Earth Retaining Structures

Standards

Gabion Solutions is a trading division of Bekaert Weldmesh , Europesleading manufacturer of steel wire products. The companys productscomply with the following British and European Standards of Quality:

BS EN ISO 9001: 2000Quality Systems. Model for quality assurance in production,installation and servicing.

Bekaert WeldmeshGabion SolutionsPO Box 119Shepcote LaneSheffield S9 1TY

Tel: 0870 1270027Fax: 0870 1270028E-mail: neil.holmes@bekaert.comWeb: www.bekaert.com/twil

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Retaining Walls - Mass Gravity - rock faced

Retaining Walls - Mass Gravity - vegetated or timber faced

Bastions - alternative fills

Water course protection

Flood defence

Sound Barriers

Cladding

Free standing walls

Architectural

The information contained in this document is for generalguidance only and does not form part of any contract oragreement. Recommendations are given in good faith and isnot intended to substitute for any testing or calculations thatyou may need to carry out to determine for yourself thesuitability of our products for your purposes. The informationherein is subject to revision without prior notice and we makeno warranties and assume no liability in connection with itsuse.

Retaining Wall, Water Courseand

Architectural Applications

BEKAERT WELDMESH

BEKAERT WELDMESHBekaert Weldmesh Gabion Solutions PO Box 119 Shepcote Lane Sheffield S9 1TY

Tel: 0870 1270027 Fax: 0870 1270028 E-mail: neil.holmes@bekaert.com Web: www.bekaert.com/twil

Certificate No 00/3683

Roads & BridgesCertificate No 99/R118

Hesco WeldmeshConcertainer Gabions

& Traditional WeldmeshGabions & Mattresses

Design & technical supportBekaert Gabion Systems pro- The Gabion Solutions Technicalvides a design service for all Department comprises engineers

and experienced sales techni-Weldmesh gabion, bastion,cians who can provide advice ontrapion and mattress applications.the most cost-effective, environ-Technical support is available tomentally acceptable solutions to aspecifiers from the feasibility toparticular problem.construction stages of a project.

A comprehensive design guide isFor difficult or unusual applica-available to assist with detailingtions we recommend that youand the assessment of the mostcontact our Technical Departmentefficient gabion structure.who will be pleased to evaluate

the problem and discussbespoke systems to meet yourrequirements.

On-site training can be provided and quality of workmanship areto contractors to ensure the most achieved.efficient construction techniques

Training

IOther CPD seminars from Bekaert include:

! INTEGRATED CONSTRUCTION SUPPLY

CHAINS - the route to competitiveness,efficiency and whole-life best-value

! BEKAERT FENCING AND ACCESSCONTROL - guaranteed perimeter securitysystems

For further details ring John Osborne on 0870 1270027