Gabion Design 1

[zaqqaz]

Hi,

I am involved in the design of a gabion as a retaining wall. Based on my judgement I design it as a rigid wall, thus using K0 soil pressure. Is there any code for the design of a gabion? Furhter, is it considered flexible or rigid wall.

Thanks

 

[PSlem]

I'd do flexible. Try this

http://www.maccaferri-northamerica.com/downloads/downloads.php

 

[PEinc]

You can't get much more flexible than a gabion wall.

 

[GeoPaveTraffic]

Got to aggree, flexible.

 

[LHA]

We could find no local Code parameters for gabions, so the last one we needed, we contacted Maccaferri directly and asked them to design it. They did, but they won't seal it. But you get a completed design submitted to you; you review, edit as needed (you can change their design, they will still sell you what you spec), then seal and submit.

Remember: The Chinese ideogram for “crisis” is comprised of the characters for “danger” and “opportunity.”
-Steve

 

[zaqqaz]

Thanks for all the valuable threads. I used Maccaferri procedures and relied on it based on their extensive experience. Though, I am not still conviced theoretically that a gabion is a flexible wall. How come such a massive structure is flexible? Also it is very difficult to model that using a F.E. or F.D. program. Is there any research available on this subject?

 

[cvg]

You really need to see a gabion wall up close and you will understand that it has no rigidity at all. Essentially a pile of rocks, confined by wire. If you have ever seen a gabion failure, it is usually due to a) poor foundation support or b) broken wires. Both are caused by its extremely flexible nature

 

[GeoPaveTraffic]

to cvg, I would add:
c) due to soil washing through the gabions.

 

[cvg]

of course enough soil washes through, you then cause poor foundation support

 

[BigH]

zaqqaz: Una pregunta, por favor - If, in your opinion, a gabion wall isn't flexible, then what types of wall would you consider flexible? I'm not sure if there is any wall more flexible than a gabion one. And, it seems another case of - if it is difficult for a computer to design it (although they have been around a lot longer than any computer programs), it must not work. As cvg says - go look at one - especially in riverbank protection.