RETAINING WALLS – Gabion Supply

GABION RETAINING WALL SYSTEMS ARE MONOLITHIC GRAVITY MASS STRUCTURES THAT ARE IDEALLY SUITED FOR EROSION CONTROL APPLICATIONS AND FOLLOW STANDARD DESIGN METHODS FOR GRAVITY AND MSE RETAINING WALLS.

NOTE: THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED AS A GUIDE TO ASSIST CONTRACTORS AND DO-IT-YOUR-SELFERS IN THE PROPER CONSTRUCTION OFGABION RETAINING WALLS. THE PHOTOS AND ILLUSTRATIONS SHOWN ON THIS WEBSITE ARE EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL MULTI-COURSE GRAVITY RETAINING WALLS.THIS CONTENT IS PRESENTED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN AS A SUGGESTED DESIGN OR PROFESSIONAL ADVICE FOR BUILDING YOUR WALL.WE ALWAYS RECOMMEND THAT YOU CONTACT A LOCAL PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER TO EVALUATESOIL FOR GABION WALL DESIGN ANDBASED ON A CERTIFIED GEO-TECHNICAL SOIL REPORT OF THE SITE LOCATION.

EXAMPLE PHOTOS OF TYPICAL MULTI-COURSE RETAINING WALLS:

GRAVITY RETAINING WALLS

Gabion wall base width relative to wall heightThe base width of a gabion gravity retaining wall is directly related to the height of the wall. As the wall height increases, the base of the wall must become wider to ensure structural stability. We have provided the diagrams below to illustrate a starting point for design analysis to determine the base width relative to the wall height.

A conservative rule-of thumb value of base width = 2/3 wall height.

Note: A professional stability analysis may determine that the gabion gravity retaining wall base width could be less or greater than the 2/3 wall height rule.

GABION GRAVITY WALL SIZES & DIMENSIONS

DURA-WELDand DURA-FLEX gravity retaining walls can be designed and constructed up to approximately 30, however due to the configuration of gabion gravity retaining walls their best suited for wall heights of 18 or less. For wall heights of 18- 36 see the Stable Slope Section of this web site.

Gabion wall base width relative to wall height base width of a gabion gravity retaining wall is related to the height of wall so as the wall height increases the basebecomes wider to ensure structural stability. Below is a suggested diagram to illustrate a starting point for design. A typical conservative value of base width = 2/3 wall height.

*** A stability analysis may determine that the gabion gravity retaining wall base width be less than or greater than 1/2 - 2/3 wall height.

TYPICAL SIZES & DIMENSIONS - GABION ROCK FILLINGDURA-WELDTMGabions: 3" x 3" square mesh openings - 4" - 8" angular shaped rocksDURA-FLEXTM Gabions: 3-1/4" x 4-1/2" - 8x10cm hex shaped mesh openings. Fill with 4" - 8" angular shaped rocks

DURA-FLEXTM Gabions: 2-1/2" x 3-1/4" - 6x8cm hex shaped mesh openings. Fill with 3" - 6" angular shaped rocks

Specific gravity required for the rock fill shall be determined by the design and specified by the design engineer. Specific gravity for rock fill material shall be no less than 2.5

Unit weight of gabion rock fill:TYPE OF ROCK LBS/CUBIC FT

BASALT 180GRANITE 160LIMESTONE 138SANDSTONE 140

Unit weight of gabion stone fill- based on a porosity of 0.30 or 30%SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF MATERIALSBASALT 3.0BRICK 2.0BROKEN CONCRETE 2.4GRANITIE 2.7LIMESTONE 2.5SANDSTONE 2.2TRAP ROCK 2.7

GENERAL DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS - Foundation PreparationGabion gravity retaining walls are typically placed directly on a graded soil foundation. To increase the bearing capacity, minimize differential settlement, and/or allow for additional drainage, a base layer of granular stone fill with consistent gradation ranging from to1-1/2"may be placed and compacted to local standards 6 18 in depth.

Foundation Grade & Wall batterIt may be determined, through a stability analysis, that additional stability of the gabion gravity retainingwall may be required to achieve acceptable factors of safety from sliding. Options prior to enlarging the gabion wall cross section for additional stability is to excavate and bury half of the first course baskets and erectthe gabion gravity retaining wall on a 5 - 6degree batter towards the retained slope. This will require the foundation soils to be graded and compacted to accommodate for the specified wall batter.

GEO-TEXgeo-textile filter fabric is a vital component of any gabion retaining wall project. The rock voids within the gabion baskets allows for free drainage of the retained soils and requires a filter fabric be placed between the gabion wall and the backfill soil interface. The geotextile filter fabric will minimize hydrostatic pressure andprevent loss of soil during drainage and drawdown.Gabion gravity retaining walls constructed without the placement of filter fabric will have a tendency to incur a loss of retained soils and grade elevation behind the gabion wall. The type of backfill soil specified will determine the type, and placement of the geotextile filter fabric.

LayoutTo provide the maximum resistance to soil forces the gabion baskets shouldbe placed with the length dimension of the gabion unit running from the back of the gabion wall to the front face of the gabion wall. This will result in the internal diaphragms being placed perpendicular to the wall face and parallel to soil thrust. When gabion units areplaced with the length dimension of the gabion unit running parallel with the length dimension of the wall the vertical seams shall be offset.

Compression LoadsFor gabion gravity retaining walls that are 15 30 in height the gabion basket foundation and bottom courses shall be placed in 1.5 vertical lifts to better absorb the compression and shear stresses.

Gabion Wall Face ConfigurationGabion retaining walls can be designed and configured with a stepped front face or a smooth front face. When utilizing a gabion wall with a smooth front face, the gabion wall should be placed on a 5-6 degree batter and is not recommended for walls above18 high. Gabion walls with a stepped front face shall have a minimum 1-1.5 horizontal set back for each 3 vertical lift.

Gabion Wall HeightGabion gravity retaining walls can be designed and constructed up to approximately 30, however due to the configuration of gabion gravity retaining walls their best suited for wall heights of 18 or less. For wall heights of 18- 36 consider two separate walls divided by a level plateau or see the Stable Slope Section of this web site.

Gabion Wall - Base width relative to wall heightThe base width of a gabion gravity retaining wall is related to height of wall. As the wall height increases the base of the wall becomes wider to ensure structural stability. We have provided the diagrams above to illustrate a starting point for design analysis to determine the base width relative to wall height. A conservative value of base width = 2/3 wall height. A professional stability analysis may determine that the gabion gravity retaining wall base width be less than or greater than - 2/3 wall height. NOTE: All the above examples are for information only and not to be considered design recommendations.The information provided in the above examples including geo-technical data, dimensions and site conditions are assumptions made by manufacturer and should be reviewed and certified by a Professional Engineer. Please check Local, State and Federal requirementsLINK TO RETAINING WALL SOFTWARE >>>

http://www.geotechnicaldirectory.com/page/software/retaining_wall_design_.html___________________________________________________________

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RETAINING WALLS - Gabion Supply