Building the right foundation for gabions is essential. Poor design is the starting point for a potential gabion failure. However, even the best design can fail if the correct bracing, lacing, and packing techniques are not applied. The classic gabion contains around 35% voids and is intentionally meant to provide a greater or lesser degree of permeability. Understanding and executing the design brief is therefore essential.
Adherence to material qualities is equally important. SANS 1580: 2010 sets the standard locally and globally for the correct manufacturing specification for hexagonal steel wire mesh gabions and revet mattresses. In turn, SANS 1200 DK:1996 governs the correct installation techniques for gabion systems.
