Why Gabion Mesh is Widely Used in Hydraulic Engineering?

I. Technical Characteristics and Engineering Advantages of Gabion Mesh

The flexible structure of gabion basket dynamically adjusts to water flow, withstanding scouring velocities up to 5m/s. Its mesh aperture structure achieves a permeability rate exceeding 30%, effectively reducing hydrostatic pressure and mitigating piping risks.

The natural soil accumulation within the stone crevices formed by gabions enables vegetation coverage to reach 85% within three years. The porosity provides habitat for aquatic organisms, increasing biodiversity indices by 2.3 times.

Modular installation enables underwater construction efficiency of 500–800 m²/day, reducing project duration by 60%. Unit cost is 42% lower than concrete structures, with maintenance expenses reduced by 40%.

II.Typical Applications of Gabion Mesh

Applications: Gabion Mesh for River Management

Technical Features: Slope protection with a slope of 1:1.5-1:3, resisting flow velocities of 3-5 m/s

Project Case: Erosion rate reduced by 85% in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River

Applications: Gabion Mesh for Flood Control

Technical Features: Rapid assembly of temporary flood walls, reducing response time by 60%

Project Case: 60% improvement in riverbed stability at the Xiaolangdi Dam on the Yellow River

Applications: Gabion Mesh for Coastal Protection

Technical Features: Galfan-coated plastic-coated steel wire + wave-breaking rocks, resisting wave heights of 3-5 m

Project Case: Qingdao Port erosion rate reduced from 1.2 m/year to 0.3 m

III. Gabion Installation Construction Technical Specifications

Gabion Material Selection

Freshwater environments: Galvanised wire ≥300g/m²

Marine environments: Galfan® (zinc-aluminium alloy) wire

Engineering Quality Control

Stone particle size: 0.5–0.8 times mesh aperture (typically 60–120mm)

Foundation levelling tolerance ≤5cm; single-layer thickness 0.5–1.0m

Special Treatment

Geotextile laid behind walls to transfer localised stresses

Retaining wall-type revetments require foundation bearing capacity ≥150 kP

IV. Future Development Trends for Gabion Mesh

Innovative coating technologies extend gabion mesh service life to 100 years, while intelligent construction equipment enables centimetre-level GPS positioning during installation. Ecological-engineering hybrid solutions have become mainstream river management strategies, accounting for 38% of applications in key Ministry of Water Resources projects by 2025.