Gabion Wall

BBA APPROVED GABION WALLS

BBA Certificate Number: 05/4215 held by Link Middle East Ltd

Helpful Gabion Wall Information

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Wall Installation Guidance

Please use the following information as guidance. If you are unsure about how to install your gabion wall, please contact a Civil Engineer.

• Freestanding Wall

• Retaining Wall

• Footing Guide

• Stability Guide

• Drain Guide

To Do	Explanation
Step 1 – Identify Location	Mark the location where you plan to construct your wall.
Step 2 – Dig	Dig 20cm or until the ground is firm.
Step 3 – Geotextile	Place a layer of geotextile or weed mat to prevent soil to prevent weeds from growing up and through your gabions.
Step 4 – Add Basecourse	Add a 20cm layer of gravel or basecourse on top of the geotextile.
Step 5 – Compact Gravel	Walk and stomp on the gravel to make it compact.
Optional – Concrete Foundation (If Required)	Most low-level gabion walls do not require a foundation but if you have a large amount of groundwater or the soil is weak it may be needed.
Step 6 – Unfold the Baskets	Unfold and lift up the sides of the baskets.
Step 7 – Join the Cages	Assemble and attach the baskets together with the helicals included in the kit.
Step 8 – Fill with Stone	Fill the gabions with your choice of stone.
Step 9 – Close Lids	Fold the lids down to close your baskets.
Step 10 – Add Second Row	Place the second row of baskets on top of the first one and connect them together with helicals at the front.
Step 11 – Fill and Join	Fill the top baskets with rocks as well. For added security, you can join the baskets with helicals from front to back. You may need to cut some of them to fit the depth of your wall.
Step 12 – Finished Project	Your wall is done.

To Do	Explanation
Step 1 – Identify location	Use spray paint, stones or other materials to mark the location where you plan to construct your wall.
Step 2 – Dig	Regulations state that retaining walls should start at 50cm below ground.  However, Gabion walls lower than 2m are often placed directly on the ground or at a shallower depth.  Digging between 20cm-50cm or until the ground is firm ground, such as clay instead of the topsoil should be adequate.
Step 3 – 6 Degree Slope	If you are retaining a lot of earth, the hole should have a 6-degree slope leaning back.  If you are retaining a small amount of earth, such as a garden bed or the wall is mostly decorative, you can maintain an upright edge instead of a 6 degree slope if you prefer.
Step 4 – Add Gravel	Add a 20cm layer of gravel or basecourse on top of the soil.
Step 5 – Compact Gravel	Walk and stomp on the gravel to make it compact.
Optional – Concrete Foundation (If Required)	Most low-level gabion walls do not require a foundation but if you have a large amount of groundwater or the soil is weak it may be needed.
Step 6 – Geotextile	Cover the back of the gabion baskets with a geotextile or weed mat to prevent soil and earth clogging up behind the wall.
Step 7 – Unfold the Baskets	Unfold and lift up the sides of the baskets.
Step 8 – Join the Cages	Assemble and attach the baskets together with the helicals included in the kit.
Step 9 – Fill with Stone	Fill the gabions with your choice of stone.
Step 10 – Close Lids	Fold the lids down to close your baskets.
Step 11 – Add Second Row	Place the second row of baskets on top of the first one and connect them together with helicals at the front.
Step 12 – Fill and Join	Fill the top baskets with rocks as well. For added security, you can join the baskets with helicals from front to back. You may need to cut some of them to fit the depth of your wall.
Step 13 – Finished Project	Your gabion retaining wall is done.

To Do	Explanation
Step 1 – Survey	Have a civil engineer to Identify the area that the wall should be placed.
Step 2 – Excavate	Regulations state that retaining walls should start at 500mm below ground. Smaller constructions are often placed at ground level.
Step 3 – Add Basecourse	Add a layer of Type 1 basecourse made up of crushed Granite Limestone, Basalt or Gritstone. 1m high = 10cm bascourse 2m high = 20cm basecourse 3m high + = 30cm basecourse
Step 4 – Compact Basecourse	Use a plate compactor to compact the basecourse.
Step 5 – Geotextile	Cover the back of the cages with a geotextile or weed mat to prevent soil and earth clogging up behind.
Step 6 – Concrete Foundation (If Required)	Most gabion walls do not require a foundation. If you have a large amount of groundwater or the soil is weak consult a Civil Engineer They can perform a Scala Penetrometer foundation test to accurately measure the strength of the soil.

To Do	Explanation
2:1 Ratio	The height of the retaining wall should not be more than double the size of the base.
6 Degree Slope	The wall should be on a 6-degree slope. It’s possible to have a straight wall but they need to be thicker.
Base Width	The wider the base the lower the pressure on the soil. Spreading the load in this way allows for the wall to be placed on weaker soils.

Diagram	Explanation
	Gabions are porous allowing water to run through and prevent pressure build-up that can cause other types of retaining walls to collapse. When installing the cages ensure that a geotextile (commercial jobs) or a weed mat (residential jobs) is covering the back of the wall. This will stop clay and thicker earth clogging up the back of the cages and preventing water from getting through.

Gabion Kit Includes

FAQs

What is a Retaining Wall?

They are a structure designed to keep earth within the desired area. Often built to prevent soil from sloping into unwanted areas such as motorways.

What is a garden gabion wall?

A popular and economical type of retaining wall. Made of large metal mesh cages filled with stone, they can be stacked on top of each other to prevent earth from falling into unwanted areas.

How expensive are they compared to other options?

They are cheaper than most other construction materials such as concrete that might be used for retaining earth in the same way. They are also very easy to use reducing the need for pay for extra manpower.

What depth should the structure have?

If it’s going to be freestanding, the depth should be at least half of the overall height in order to keep it stable. If it’s going to be reinforced with metal frames for example, you can get away with a smaller depth.

Where do I get the stone?

We supply stone suitable on this page.

You can also quickly calculate the amount of stone you need on this page