2024-09-02
gabion-Retaining structures
The word „gabion“ comes from an old italian word, gabbione, that means „big cage“. Around 7000 years ago, early gabion type structures protected the bank of river Nile. In middle ages, gabions were used as military forts. In earlier history, civil engineers have extensively used gabions for stabillization of banks, coasts, highways and erosion control of slopes. From the banks of river Nile, where they were created up to today, gabion walls are a benefit for the landscape. It is used for thosands of years as a gravity type retaining structure and makes a attractive, efficient and cheap wall system.Gabion walls are executed mainly in the purpose of soil stabilization behind the wall, but it can also be executed as a cover wall. The wall si made from gabion baskets that are stacked in one or more rows, depending on the height of the wall. Baskets have a cage shape and are closed on all sides. They are made from a galvanized hexagonal meshes and brocken rock that are placed in the baskets. Retaining structures are formed by stacking gabion baskets in a proper schedule and present an alternative solution for concrete structures in the area of soil stabilization.