SECTION 8.

05: SLOPE PROTECTION AND STABILIZATION

11. GABIONS

11.1 Gabions shall be supplied in various length and height. The length of all
units shall be1,2,3,4,5 or 6 meters, width 1.0, 1.5, or 2.0 meters, and height 0.5 or
1.0 meter. All subjected to a tolerance limit of ± 5% of manufacture's stated size.

11.2 All gabions units shall consist of double twisted, hexagonal mesh of soft
annealed hot dip zinc- coated wire meeting the following international
specification: BS 1052/ 1980 and BS 443/1982. The wire shall be 3 mm minimum
diameter or as specified in special specification. The mesh shall be fabricated in
such manner as to be non-raveling. Non-raveling is defined as the ability to resist
puling apart at any of the twists of connections forming the mesh when a single
wire stand in a section is cut. The maximum nominal opening size shall be
100mm.

11.3 Rock used in gabions shall be sound and durable from a source approved
by the Engineer. The rock shall have apparent specific gravity not less than 2.5
according to ASTM C 127 or AASHTO T-85 and absorption not more than 6 % as
determined by ASTM C 127 or AASHTO T-85. The Los Angeles Abrasion value not
greater than 45 % according to ASTM C535. Rock shall be from 10 to 30 cm. The
rock shall be reasonably well graded between the limiting sizes.

11.4 Excavation required for the placement of gabions shall be made in

accordance with that dimensions as shown in the drawings, or as directed by the
Engineer. Gabions shall be constructed in units to the dimensions indicated on
the drawings.

11.5 Excavation, backfilling, preparations, compaction etc. shall be in

accordance with Section 2.09 (Excavation and backfilling for structure) or as
directed by the Engineer.

11.6 Gabions shall be fabricated in such a manner that the sides, ends, lid, and
diaphragms can be assembled at the construction base. Lid ends and sides shall
be either woven into single unit or one edge of these members connected to the
base section of the gabions in such manner that strength and flexibility at the
point of connection is at least equal to that of the mesh.

11.7 Where the length of gabion exceed in horizontal width by more than
0.5m, the gabion shall be divided by diaphragms, of the same mesh and gauge as
the body of the gabions, into cells the length of which does not exceed
horizontal width. The gabions shall be furnished with the necessary diaphragms
secured in proper position on the base in such a manner that no additional tying
at this junction will be necessary.

11.8 All perimeter edges of the mesh forming the gabion shall be securely
clip bound or selvedge so that the joints formed by tying the selvedges have at
least the same strength as the body of the mesh.

11.9 Salvaged wire used through all edges (perimeter wire) shall not be less
than 3.75 mm diameter (U.S. wire gauge No. 9) and shall meet the same
specifications as the wire mesh.

11.10 Tie and connection wire shall be supplied in sufficient quantity to

securely fasten all edges of the gabions and diaphragms and to provide for four
cross connecting wires in each cell whose height is 1/3 or 1/2 the width of the
gabion, and 8 connecting wires in each end cell whose height equal the width of
the gabion, the wire shall meet the same specifications as for wire used in the
mesh except that it may not be more than 2 gauges smaller.

11.11 Gabions shall be installed according to the manufacturer's

recommendation. The gabions shall be placed on a smooth foundation. Final line
in grade shall be approved by the Engineer.

11.12 Each gabion basket shall be assembled by binding together all Vertical
edges with wire ties to approximately 150 mm spacing or a continuous
piece of connecting wire stitched around the vertical edges with a coil every 100
mm. Empty gabion units shall be set to line and grade as shown on the plans or
as directed by the Engineer, wire ties or connections wire shall be used to Join the
units together is the same manner as described for assembly. Internal tie wires
shall be uniformly spaced and securely fastened in each cell of the structure. A
strain fence stretcher, chain fall, or iron rod may be used to stretch the wire
baskets and hold alignment.

11.13 The gabions shall be filled with stone carefully placed by hand or machine
to assure alignment and avoid bulges with minimum voids. Alternate placing of
rock and connection wires shall be performed until the gabion is filled. After
gabions have been filled, the lid shall be bent over until it meets the sides and
edges. The lid shall then be secured to the sides, ends and diaphragms with wire
ties or connecting wire in the manner described for assembly.