One advantage of a gabion structure is that it can be built without heavy equipment. Gabions are
flexible and can maintain their function even if the foundation settles. They can be repaired by opening
the baskets, refilling them, and then wiring the shut again.
The disadvantage of a gabion structure is that the baskets ma be opened by wave action. Also,
since structural performance depends on the continuity of the wire mesh, abrasion and damage t the PVC
coating can lead to rapid corrosion of the wire and failure of the baskets. For that reason, the baskets
should be tightly packed to minimize movement of the interior stone and subsequent damage to the wire.
Rusted and broken wire baskets also pose safety hazard. Gabion structures require periodic inspections s
that repairs are made before serious damage occurs.
To insure best performance, use properly sized filler rock, interior liners or sandbags to contain
smaller sized material are not recommended. The baskets should be filled tightly to prevent movement
of the stone and they should be refilled as necessary to maintain tight packing.
Gabions should not be used where bombardment by water-born debris or cobbles is present, or
where foot traffic across them is expected.
Steel Fuel Barrels
Wave Height Range: Below five feet.
This type of revetment is limited to remote areas with an abundance of used fuel barrels of little
salvageable value (Figure 59). Due to rapid corrosion of the barrels in warm water, the system is only
reliable in arctic regions. The barrels should be completely filled with coarse granular material to
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