GABIONS AND MATTRESSES

1.0 GENERAL

This work consists of the provision and installation of stone filled wire mesh gabions
and mattresses to provide protection against scour and erosion of flowing waterway.
The gabions may also be used for construction of walling to retain the lower slopes of
embankments in steeply sloping areas.

2.0 MATERIALS

2.1 The mesh are manufactured from wire complying with B.S. 1052 having a
minimum core diameter of 2.2rnm or as specified in the specification. All wire are
galvanized and coated with a minimum thickness of 0.55mm of PVC which shall
be capable of resisting the effects of chemical, bacteria and fungi attacks and
ultra-violet degradation as specified in the specification.

2.2 Stone for filling in the gabions or mattresses shall be quarried rock or river gravel
of size such that it is retained within the geogrid mesh within loss and shall have
a maximum size not longer than 250mrn or as specified. The average size range
of stone shall be 125rnm to 200mm.

2.3 All tie wires shall comply to the specification.

3.0 INSTALLATION PROCEDURES

3.1 The mesh panels shall be opened - out flat on the ground and stretched to
remove bends. The cages shall then be assembled individually by raising the
sides, ends and diaphragms, ensuring that all cages are in the correct position
and the tops of ends and sides are even.

3.2 The four corners of the cage shall be laced first, followed by the lacing of the
diaphragms to the sides. In all cases lacing shall commence at the top of the
cage by twisting the blinding strand round the selvedge. The strand shall then be
passed round the two edges being pointed, through each mesh in turn and
securely tied at the bottom. The ends of all lacing strands shall be turned to the
inside of the cage on completion of lacing.

3.3 Prior to placing gabions, the surface on and against which they are to be
constructed shall have been prepared and furnished in accordance with the
relevant provisions of the specification.
 3.4 When used for scour protection the gabions shall be inserted in a trench
excavated in the river bed to the depth and the mattresses shall be laid on the
trimmed slopes shown on the drawings or as directed by the Employer's
Representative. The cages shall be placed in close contact in one or more rows
as shown on the drawings. As for as practicable cages shall be wired to adjacent
cages at all adjoining comers and edges.

3.5 Gabions used in construction of retaining walls shall be installed on horizontal

benches out into the existing ground. If considered necessary by the Employer's
Representative the base of the wall shall be let into the ground to provide a
sufficient key, and drainage shall be provided to remove water from the base of
the wall. The locations and dimensions of the walling shall be shown on the
drawings or as directed by the Employer's Representative.

3.6 Any irregularities in the foundation shall be excavated or tightly packed with
gravel to produce a surface which has no protrusions or cavities in excess of
100mm or otherwise specified in the drawings or specification.

3.7 The cages shall be tightly packed with approved stone by hand in such a manner
that voids are kept to practicable minimum and are uniformly distributed in the
stone mass. The cages shall be slightly over - filled to allow for subsequent
settlement and the lids then secured tightly over the filling bars and wired down
securely through each mesh along all edges and diaphragms.

3.8 Mechanic equipment may only be used for filling gabion or mattress units where
the Employer's Representative is satisfied that the results are equivalent to filling
by hand.

3.0 SITE RECORDS

The engineers in charge of works shall ensure that the site supervisors continuously
supervise and observe the installation of the gabions, and furnish the daily site dairy
sheets to the engineers each day. The daily site dairy sheets shall record the following
information: -

(a) Date of installation

(b) Location of the gabions

(c) Sub - contractor's personnel and labour resources at site

(d) Number or length of gabions installed at each location

(e) Details of delays and obstruction

(f) Weather and site conditions

The above engineers shall ensure that the quantity of gabions and mattresses laid at
each location is measured and recorded in the joint measurement sheets by these
supervisors with the Employer's representative.