How to Fill Gabions

Below you will find an easy guide on how to fill gabions with stone or alternative materials. This blog will walk you through different methods. 

OVERVIEW

• Experience Required: Medium
• Tools Required: Pliers (if working with tying wire)
• Materials Required: Gabions, Helicals, Stones, Partitions

STEP 1: Choosing the Right Stone

• Interlocking, angular stones are the best for filling the baskets (Class 6G).
• The stones have to be around 100mm – 200mm in order to be suitable for the cages, so they do not slip through the holes.
• If you want to prevent bulging, use 5mm wire for large, round stones.

 

METHOD A: Using One Type of Stone

• Make sure to have the larger stones on the bottom and the sides.
• Try to place flat stones to face the walls of the cage.
• Leave no voids and pack the stones as tightly together as possible.

 

METHOD B: Using Rubble Bags and Decorative Stones

• Place rubble bags or sandbags at the back of the cage.
• Add the decorative stones to the front, facing the panels with the flat side of the rocks.
• Leave no space between the rocks and the bags.

 

METHOD C: Using Rubble and Handlaying Partitions

• A stone separating panel will make the job much easier and cheaper.
• Connect the panel to the sides of the basket with tying wire or helicals.
• Make sure the rubble is tightly packed, then start with the front – you only need the decorative stones here.

 

METHOD D: Machine Filling

• Machine filling is the quickest option for large jobs.
• There will be bigger gaps that you will need to sort out by hand to make sure that there are no voids between stones.
• Use a support pole to reduce bulging. If large amounts of stone hit the panels with force, they will bulge during the process.

 

STEP 3: Securing the Lid

• You will only have to close the cage and secure the lid.
• This can be done with either tying wire or helical connectors.

 

CHOOSING LOCAL STONE

• You can use local stones that are freely available to you.
• No matter what material you choose, always make sure that the size is between 80mm – 200mm.

 

USING BRICKS

• You can always use loose building material that you may have lying around, like bricks.
• Because of the rectangular size, bricks will help keep a straight-edge finish.

 

USING RECYCLED MATERIAL

• You can even choose glass or plastic bottles to achieve a unique look while saving on the materials and recycling in the process.
• It is required that the items that you are using are hard, heavy, durable, and can also drain water.

 

USING LARGE ROUND COBBLES

• Large cobbles require a 5mm wire in order to prevent bulging but they look just as good as angular, interlocking stones.

 

USING GRANITE STONE

• The flat side of the granite that you can see above should always face the wall of the basket. 
• This will guarantee a uniform look and prevent bulging as well.

 

USING SMALL ROUND STONES

• Smaller round stones are less likely to make the baskets bulge but still need a thicker wire (4mm or 5mm). 
• These are great to use for projects calling for taller structures.

 

TIPS

• If you are working with a thinner wire cages, you can cross-wire them or use support panels.
• Take some tying wire and connect the front and back panel with it.
• The wire will reduce the pressure on the panels while filling the basket.

 

FURTHER READING

• How to Assemble Gabions – The baskets come flat-packed and already clipped together at the bottom and lid. They can be assembled with tying wire or helical connectors.