How to maintain gabions？

The gabion structure is made of steel wire mesh treated with an antiseptic and filled with granular material to form a gravity structure. The weight of the structure allows it to withstand pressure from behind. Although gabion walls are very durable, they are still susceptible to mechanical damage due to impact and deformation.

Maintenance of gabions includes visual inspections, which are usually carried out once a year. Any damage found during the inspection should be treated according to the purpose of the gabion. Gabion walls used for important purposes such as dam construction should be repaired immediately to prevent further damage and minimize the risks they pose in a damaged state.

Anomalies found during a visual inspection of gabion walls may include: broken components, localized raised surfaces, vegetation on the surface, damage caused by vandalism or impact, or excessive water on the surface.

What should I look for when inspecting gabions?
Localized minor impact damage
The breakage, cracking or damage of a single gabion component will not affect the structural integrity of the gabion and can be repaired on site if necessary. However, if multiple gabion components in the same area are broken, it may affect the integrity of other areas of the gabion wall. The damaged section should be repaired by a professional.

Major impact damage
This can pose a huge risk to the structural integrity of the gabion wall and should be repaired by professionals as they may require local support reconstruction at a landfill or water body behind the gabion wall.

Excavation near the wall
Excavation near the gabion wall may affect the integrity of the structure. However, the degree of risk of the excavation depends on its depth and distance from the gabion wall. Any excavation close to the gabion wall that is deeper than 0.5 meters may affect the stability of the foundation and cause the gabion wall to collapse.

Vegetation
Gabions are filled with inert crushed stone and are therefore not easily affected by vegetation within the wall. Vegetation on top of the wall will not cause any impact on the gabion structure. However, any vegetation growing out of the gabion should be removed immediately.