Failures of Gabion Walls

Abstract

Retaining wall is an important structure of any infrastructure. Due to research and advancement in Civil Engineering use of new types of retaining walls are very much common in recent construction scenario. Gabion retaining wall is one of the new types of retaining wall. Gabion wall consists of stone filled metallic mesh boxes which are tied together to form a shape of retaining wall. Gabion wall is very much common nowadays due to its simplicity, speedy construction, and flexibility. In spite of massive structure of Gabion wall there are possibilities of Gabion wall failures. Literature review shows that very less information is reported on failures of Gabion wall. This paper focused on defects/ failures observed in existing Gabion walls. Total 11 sites of existing Gabion walls around Pune district (India) are considered for the study. Investigations of these sites are made to identify various defects/failures with possible reasons. Remedial measures to overcome these deflect/failures are also suggested. Such a study will be helpful not only to avoid failures but also to provide a basis for possible research and modifications in the Gabion wall.