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Gabion Mattress

What is it?

Gabion mattress systems are an example of a flexible lining that can provide a means of stabilizing roadside channels.  They are suitable for a range of hydraulic conditions and can conform to changes in hydraulic channel shape.  These monolithic gravity mass structures are ideally suitable for erosion control, slope protection and site stability.  The gabion baskets are typically made of compartmented rectangular containers (baskets) made of galvanized or PVC-coated (to prevent corrosion) steel hexagonal wire mesh filled with stone riprap.  The wire baskets are connected together and anchored to the channel side slope.  Gabions are especially useful in stream and channel applications where high amounts of water flow are expected.

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What assets can be protected?

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Project Phase?

  • Planning

  • Design

Implementation Time?

Days or Weeks

Useful Life?

Typically 30-50 Years

Preliminary Costs?

 $$$$

Average capital cost (range) of gabion mattresses is $90/Linear Foot (for 3ft wide section) in 1999 dollars per MGWC 2.3 Gabions

Benefits

  • Flexible structures, able to withstand significant undercutting movements 

  • Works well in unimproved channels by providing surface roughness

  • Useful when rock riprap is unavailable or not large enough

  • Less thick than equivalent riprap lining

  • Can adapt to changes in subgrade; durable

Limiting Factors

  • In streams with high sediment, wire mesh may abrade and eventually fail 

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