Gabions

What are gabions?

Gabions are rectangular, cubic or cylindrical modules made of woven or welded wire. These are structures of varying sizes resembling woven baskets. They can be filled with river or quarry stones, the size of which depends on the mesh grid. Because of their modularity, flexibility and stability, gabions are used for many diverse purposes.

Application:

• Construction of flexible and monolithic structures such as retaining walls ;
• Strengthening of the coast line , control of the water in the event of a breach of the river and protection from floods;
• Protection from erosion processes ;
• In landscape architecture as an innovative and effective way of fencing or decoration ;
• Strengthening of road and railway lines ;
• For artificially constructed road facilities;
• Stabilization and securing of slopes and embankments;
• Strengthening of areas with unstable soil;
• Construction of engineering facilities with various applications.

Production of the different types of gabions:

The life of the gabions depends more on the durability and quality of the wire than on the filling. SmartMetalGroup offers two types of gabions with high-quality workmanship - woven gabions and electro-welded gabions .

Woven gabions for manufactured from a double twisted metal mesh , which allows the even distribution of weight and bending, instead of breaking the integrity under heavy load. The steel wire has the so-called Galfan coated or heavy galvanized. Thanks to the hot-dip galvanizing method, corrosion protection is guaranteed for decades.

Electro-welded gabions are welded steel grids with a diameter of 5 to 6 mm. For additional protection against corrosion , a sheath of polyvinyl chloride or PVC coating is added upon prior request and customer order. Electric welded gabions are usually produced in the form of a cube or a parallelepiped with dimensions varying from 50 cm to 2 m depending on the site requirements. They combine high resistance to tensile and compressive strength, while at the same time looking aesthetically pleasing. That is why they are used for objects that simultaneously need to perform a strengthening and decorative function.

Today, decorative gabions are becoming more and more popular and are used with various applications. They are usually re-wired thanks to metal welded grids or from woven double-twisted mesh. The only difference with ordinary gabions is that they do not always have the shape of a cube or a parallelepiped. The function of these gabions is purely decorative, as they can be used to build pots, flower beds, benches, garden furniture , enclosures for garbage cans, various water effects, decorative walls, columns and much more.

Main types of gabion structures

Gabions cube / parallelepiped

Cube or parallelepiped gabions vary in size from 0.50 - 2 meters. They can be knitted or electrowelded and made of different F wire. This type of gabions are the most popular and widely used. Their application is universal, and the only thing that needs to be done is to match the size of the cube with the requirements of the structure.

Jumbo gabions

Jumbo gabions have the shape of a parallelepiped, but the difference with the previous type is their size. Their size is several times larger than ordinary gabions. They serve only in the construction of large and complex structures where size matters. Jumbo gabions can reach a length of up to 6 meters, and the size of the metal cage facilitates work and installation in the construction of large structures, because it allows the use of machines.

Reno mattresses

Reno mattresses are usually woven gabions made of double or triple-twisted hexagonal galvanized wire. The difference with ordinary woven gabions is that they are up to a few centimeters high, but their area is many times larger in width and length. They serve to quickly cover large areas , where reinforcement is not so important, but rather it is necessary to strengthen the soil itself. The main application of Reno mattresses is in hydraulic construction , where they are used for the creation and strengthening of canals and riverbeds, erosion protection and others.

"Sack" gabions

Sack type gabions are also manufactured from double-twisted galvanized mesh with hexagonal holes. They represent a cylindrical body of different sizes and volume, which is mainly used for protection against erosion processes . Sack gabions can be filled in place with stones and, with appropriate technique, lowered directly to the place that needs reinforcement and additional strengthening. They can be placed on top of each other or form columns. They are mainly used in case of erosion of riverbeds , in the event of overflowing of a water basin, protection from the erosive effect of water in canals or other water bodies.

Green gabion systems

Green gabion systems are an extremely new and non-standard, but at the same time super ecological solution. These systems are gabion constructions, the main purpose of which is to improve a given terrain . They are installed directly on the ground and filled with earth mass instead of aggregate and rock fragments. Gabions do not in any way interfere with the development of vegetation. They are mainly used in difficult and exhausted terrains, for covering reinforced concrete structures with vegetation and others. Green systems have become the best solution for restoring green vegetation on degraded terrain.

Modular panels for fences and walls

Another common variety of gabions is the panel electro-welded grids , which are used to build fence systems or decorative walls . The panels themselves are made of galvanized wire with a greater thickness of Ф5.00, which is why they are characterized by resistance, strength, durability and durability. The grid of the panels themselves is also slightly larger than ordinary ones, in order to combine well the power characteristics with the aesthetic appearance of the facility.

Hexagonal grid for reinforcement

These gabion systems are a type of galvanized wire mesh with double or triple twist. Galvanized wire with zinc coating 255 g/m2 with a thickness of Ф3.00 m and hexagonal holes with a frame of 80x100 mm is mainly used. They are very similar to woven gabions, but here the difference is that the nets are available in rolls, and not in the form of cubes and parallelepipeds. Double-twisted hexagonal meshes serve to build systems against erosion , landslides and collapses. They are installed on slopes so as to ensure the necessary stability of the ground mass and prevent its movement.

Why are gabions the best choice?

The advantages of gabion structures are extremely numerous. For all those who want an attractive, simple and economical solution for yard fencing , gabions are a real jackpot.

• Easy installation: A metal post is placed in the center of the gabion , which is the supporting structure. You also don't have to worry about lifting equipment, because due to the low weight of the modules, distribution and installation are possible almost anywhere. Not to be neglected is the fact that you save yourself the construction of masonry from stone. Instead, you manually or mechanically pour the stones and get an instant design effect that you can enjoy for years.
• Economy and lack of secondary costs: Due to their relatively low cost and negligible installation costs, gabions become one of the most profitable investments for your yard and garden , road or railway facility, etc. No special preparation is required before their placement, as well as planning of additional drainage systems, thanks to the high permeability of the structure. Subsequent operation brings only and only satisfaction from the product, as the durability and quality of workmanship guarantee that the need for repair work on them will not appear in the coming decades.
• Resistance to all weather conditions: Moisture, wind and extreme temperatures are no longer enemies for your fence. Gabions are characterized by great flexibility, which makes them resistant to loads, without the risk of breaking. The craftsmanship itself is almost entirely made of natural materials, which is also the reason for its durability against the challenges that nature often throws at us.
• Environmental friendliness and harmlessness for the environment: Gabions are made of natural natural materials , which in no way pollute the soil and do not interfere with the growth of vegetation. Over time, they merge with the environment, which further makes the aesthetic effect even more remarkable.
• Durability: The stability of the gabions increases over the years due to the compaction of the soil in the cavities. Over time, vegetation finds its natural environment on their surface, turning them into nature-friendly building blocks.

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