Retaining walls provide structure and support for sloping ground and sites where erosion and land slippage are issues. However, even though retaining walls are generally built from strong materials such as blocks, concrete and brick, they can fail.
Retaining walls can fail if not properly designed, installed or maintained. Increasingly gabion baskets are being used for retaining walls as they solve many of these potential issues.
In this blog we will look at the reasons why a retaining wall can fail and how gabion baskets can address these potential problem areas.
- Inadequate drainage
Excess water pressure building up behind a retaining wall can exert significant force, causing the wall to fail.
Water can accelerate soil erosion behind the wall, undermining its stability. Repeated freeze-and-thaw cycles cause the water to expand and contract, adding more pressure on the wall.
Walls made from gabion baskets have natural drainage through the stone filling, ensuring water can drain freely regardless of weather conditions.
- Poor soil conditions
The variety of soil types greatly impacts the integrity of a retaining wall. If the soil behind the wall is weak or unstable, it may not provide adequate support. Expansive soil types can swell and contract with changes in moisture content, again putting pressure on the wall.
At the other extreme, soil that has settled over time may become compacted, leading to uneven pressure on parts of the wall.
Walls made from gabion baskets protect the ground from soil erosion and are less vulnerable to different soil types than brick or concrete walls.
- Poor design
Poor design can undermine the retaining wall’s integrity. Insufficient height or thickness may not be able to withstand the lateral pressure of the soil. Inadequate footings are another problem area, and retaining walls may require additional reinforcement, such as steel or concrete, to prevent collapse.
Although gabion walls will still require accurate measurements and specifications depending on the lateral load, they are very robust by nature, and the variety of sizes of the gabions themselves make it easier to design and build a strong retaining wall.
- Construction deficits
Poor construction covers a number of different areas, from poor installation to material defects and even damage during the construction process.
Gabion baskets are easy to install, reducing the likelihood of failure. Design calculations are still required regarding the size and configuration of the baskets, gauge of wire and wall height and depth, but they are less complex than for other types of retaining wall.
- Failure due to age
All materials wear down over time, and this is true of retaining walls. Age can lead to retaining walls made from traditional materials cracking and crumbling. Ground movement due to subsidence, corrosion, or tree roots can undermine the ground, and the constant weight of the backfill then pushes the wall to lean and bulge.
With gabion baskets, the fill material is natural and has a much longer life than materials such as concrete. The spaces between the rocks also allow for natural drainage and are more tolerant of natural factors such as tree and shrub roots.
The benefits of using gabion baskets for retaining walls
Gabion baskets are a cost-effective solution for retaining wall applications. They have a number of benefits over other types of materials, such as concrete;
- Easy to assemble and install
- Good for areas where access is limited
- Strong structure
- Natural drainage
- Cost-effective
- Can be filled with a wide variety of stone and aggregate
- Fits in with natural surroundings
- Durable
- Low maintenance
- Biodiversity Net Gain
Terrock provide premium gabion baskets and stone to landscapers, garden designers and garden DIYers. You can find out more about the pricing of our gabion baskets and stone here.
If you are working on a project and thinking of including gabion baskets, we are happy to discuss your options and provide advice for design and installation. Contact us or call 01472 289940
