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Gabion Mattress Retaining Walls

What is it?

Gabion baskets may be used as the flexible facing (visible) component of a reinforced soils system, such as a mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) wall. Gabions, together with a filter material, may be used to prevent the soil from raveling out between rows of reinforcement. Additionally, gabions play a minor structural role in the stability of the structure. Because gabions are made primarily of natural stone, they can be used to blend into the environment. Gabions may also be used as monolithic gravity mass retaining wall structures, which 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.

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What assets can be protected?

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Project Phase?

  • Planning

  • Design

Implementation Time?

Days or Weeks

Useful Life?

Preliminary Costs?

 $$$$

Typically 30-50 Years

The following pricing for gabions was included in the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration Price Index dated from January 2020:

  • Temporary Gabion Outlet Structures: Median Unit price $5,100/EA for 6 contracts. Unit prices ranged from $2,200 to $13,352.57

  • 12 in. Gabion: Unit Price $200/CY for one contract of 8 units

  • 36 in. Gabion: Unit Price $98.61/CY for one contract of 82 units

Benefits

  • Flexible structures, able to withstand significant undercutting movements 

  • Works well in areas subject to vibration (e.g., trains)

  • Can be made on-site without heavy lifting equipment (ideal for remote locations)

Limiting Factors

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

  • Corrosion resistance of the wire mesh baskets is the most important limiting factor on the life of a gabion wall

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