Sizing of Gabions (Procedure based on CIRIA (2002) and Parker et al (1998))

(A) Table 11.1 Sizing of Gabions Based on Design Velocity

Gabion Stone size Critical Velocity Limiting Velocity

Thickness (ft) (inch) (ft/sec) (ft/sec)
3.3 ≤11.5 13.8
0.49-0.56
4.3 13.8 14.8
3.3 11.8 18
0.75-0.82
4.7 14.8 20
3.9 13.8 18
1
4.9 16.4 21
5.9 19 24.9
1.64
7.5 21 26.2
Based on Agostoni (1988) and CIRIA (2002)

Additional Requirements:

(a) Minimum Stone Size > 1.25x Maximum Spacing between wires.

(b) Maximum Stone Size < 2/3 x Height of box or basket.

(c) Minimum height of basket > 6 in.

(B) Table 11.2 Sizing of Gabion based on Maximum Velocity

(NJDOT Soil Erosion and Sediments Control Standards for Gabions)

Maximum
Gabion
Velocity
Thickness (Ft)
(ft/sec.)
1/2 6
3/4 11
1 14
Special Sizing Notes:

(a) When sizing gabions, both lower and upper bounds on stone size should be established using Table 11.1 and Tab
blished using Table 11.1 and Table 11.2.
INPUT
Flow Depth (Yo)= 6.12 ft
V100 at Abutment= 5.54 ft/sec
Width of abutment footing = 10 ft
Width of abutment(W) = 8 ft
Thickness of abut footing (X)= 1 ft
Design Scour depth at abutment (y)= 5.5 ft
Angle of Repose (ф)= 46.5 deg
Clear opening (Abut-to-Abut) = 30 ft

DESIGN
Critical Velocity= 5.54 ft/sec (Avg velocity for 100 yr, V100)

As per Table 11.1 , for critical velocity <11ft/sec

Thickness of Gabion = 0.5 ft

Maximum Stone Size= 4.3 inch
Minimum Stone Size= 3.3 inch
Recommended Stone Sizes=
Minimum height of basket= 6 inch.

Height of basket > 3/2 Max stone size= 6.45 inch.

Spacing of wires < Min. Stone Size/1.25= 3.44 inch

Extent of Gabions:

Clear opening from Abutment-to-Abutment 30 ft

(a) Width of Scour hole= 0 ft ( No scour hole)

(b) 2 x Widht of Abut= 16 ft (From face of abutment)

(c ) X+18"+y cotф= 7.72 ft

16 ft Governs.

Gabion required abutment face to face

INPUT
Flow Depth (Yo)= 11.71 ft (100 yr avg flow)
V100 at Abutment= 1.38 ft/sec (100 yr velocity)
Width of abutment footing = 7.5 ft
Width of abutment(W) = 3.5 ft
Thickness of abut footing (X)= 2.5 ft
Design Scour depth at abutment (y)= 13.17 ft (100 yr total scour depth)
Angle of Repose (ф)= 30 deg (30-39 degree for SP soil)
Clear opening (Abut-to-Abut) = 40 ft

DESIGN
Critical Velocity= 1.38 ft/sec (Avg velocity for 100 yr, V100)

As per Table 11.1 , for critical velocity <11ft/sec

Thickness of Gabion = 0.5 ft

Maximum Stone Size= 4.3 inch
Minimum Stone Size= 3.3 inch
Recommended Stone Sizes=
Minimum height of basket= 6 inch.

Height of basket > 3/2 Max stone size= 6.45 inch.

Spacing of wires < Min. Stone Size/1.25= 3.44 inch

Extent of Gabions:

Clear opening from Abutment-to-Abutment 40 ft

(a) Width of Scour hole= 0 ft ( No scour hole)

(b) 2 x Width of Abut= 7 ft (From face of abutment)

(c ) X+18"+y cotф= 26.8 ft

26.8 ft Governs.

Gabion required abutment face to face

 Clear Opening Abutment Details
Bridges
(ft)
Width (ft)

002 40 3.5

003 40 4

0016 39 2.25

0028 27 3

0033 37 3

0053 45 2

00665 28 3

02465 20 4

05165 36 3.5

05465 50 2.25

Notes on Excavation depth (Taken from "Flood Scour for Bridges and Highways" b
Excacation: The top layer of gabion/riprap should be at least 6 in below a riverbed
Exception:
(a) If computed scour depth is high, it may not be feasible to provide riprap depth eq
permissible. In such situations, the thickness of riprap may be reduced to 0.5y, wher
if effective, monitoring is done.
(b) If the excavation depth is not excessive and doesnot cause instability of footing,
not be reduced and will be based on calculated velocity. If the design depth d is grea
footing or bedrock is not available within the depth d, then an alternative counterme
 Abutment Details V100 at Abut Scour Depth (ft) Angle of Repose
Soil type
(ft/sec) (deg)
Thickness (ft) Contraction Total
2.5 1.38 2.94 13.17 SP 30

3 1.07 2.17 12.96 SP 30

2.25 0.64 0.98 12.77 SP 30

3 5.87 4.25 8.47 SP 30

2.5

2.75

2.25

lood Scour for Bridges and Highways" by Mohiuddin Ali Khan)

should be at least 6 in below a riverbed. The depth of riprap/gabion should be at least below the contraction scour depth.

not be feasible to provide riprap depth equal to full scour depth. Deep excavations adjacent to spread footings are not
ss of riprap may be reduced to 0.5y, where y=maximum scour depth, provided d is not less than 3 ft, a filter layer is used, and

and doesnot cause instability of footing, a higher value of d between 0.5y and y may be used. However, the size of stone will
ated velocity. If the design depth d is greater than the available depth beween the river bed elevation and the bottom of the
he depth d, then an alternative countermeasure should be considered.