Gabions River Training Works

FABRICATION OF GABIONS:

Step 1. Stretching: The gabions shall be unfolded on the ground and stretched to the

maximum extent possible while ensuring that all creases are in the correct positions 

for forming the box.

Step 2. Cutting: Any cutting required shall be carried out so that the cut ends of 

wire are a minimum of 50 millimetres from the twisted joins. After stretching and 

cutting as required the side and end panels shall be lifted so that the tops of all 

sides are level. Any loose ends of wire protruding above a level plane at the top or 

from the corners shall be bent down into the gabion box.

Step 3. Fastening and Lacing: Corners shall be fastened securely and the box shaped 

prior to commencing any binding. The binding wire shall be securely fastened to the 

top of a corner by lacing between two meshes at the corner and twisting the binding 

wire through three half turns. The wire shall then be laced around the two vertical 

selvedges, when applicable, and through each mesh in turn in a continuous lacing 

action and shall be pulled tight before securing to the bottom corner by the three 

half turns to an adjacent wire.

Step 4. Positioning of gabion boxes before filling: The diaphragm panels shall then 

be placed in position and secured to the gabion sides in the same manner as the 

corners. The empty box shall then be firmly seated on a prepared area in its final 

position and laced to the adjoining corners or sides of gabions previously placed 

along all adjoining corners and tops. If additional binding of the gabions is 

required this shall be shown on the Drawings or specified.

Placement of the Gabion Boxes:

The placement of the gabion boxes shall be carried out in an orderly manner so that 

a face of uncompleted work is maintained. At least two rows of empty boxes shall be 

wired together at the face of uncompleted work prior to filling the box closest to 

the completed work.

Prior to filling any box one end or side of the box shall be secured to completed 

works or to stakes driven into the ground at the corners or in any other approved 

manner and the opposite end, side or corner shall be stretched with crowbars and 

secured top and bottom in an approved manner.

Filling Boxes

When boxes used are one (1) metre high or more they shall be cross tensioned in each 

compartment at third points in the height by wires of the same diameter as the 

binding wire securely tied by two turns around the mesh or selvedge wire and three 

half turns around itself.

The lids shall be stretched tight over the filling with a crow-bar or similar 

and wired down in a continuous lacing process in the same manner as that specified 

for corners. Each edge may be laced with a separate length of binding.

Measurement of Gabion Works

The Gabions shall include for all work specified including excavation, filling, 

compaction and trimming necessary to construct the gabions to the lines and levels 

specified. Measurement of the quantity in cubic metres will be made shall be based 

on the nominal external dimensions of the gabion baskets which have been constructed 

in accordance with the Contract. The unit of measurement for Reno mattresses shall 

be the cubic metre (m3).