The Science
What are gabions?
Gabions are containers made with steel wire woven into a honeycomb pattern to create a basket and filled with various materials. Our gabions are only filled with indigenous rock and our baskets are PVC galvanized steel. The PVC coating prevents rusting. When you see gabions they often look like a wall, but they are individual baskets linked together for easy and customized installation.
How do gabions work?
The honeycomb pattern of the basket increases the amount of weight the gabion can withstand, which includes the force of the land behind them, the wave energy and hydrostatic pressure in front, and the weight of the rock inside. Rock inside the gabions prevent water from impacting land and structures by absorbing wave force. Small spaces between the rock allow water to flow through, preventing the buildup of hydrostatic pressure. The weight of the gabions cause them to be self-anchoring. A mattress is placed underneath the gabion which conforms to the sand below and prevents erosion from underneath the gabions. Fabric is also placed behind the structure to prevent soil and silt from washing out from behind the gabions while allowing water to reach plants.
Environmental Protection & Restoration
We only use rock indigenous to the region so the local ecosystem is not disturbed. Because our gabions use eco-friendly materials and the rock has small spaces in between them local plants can take root within the gabions and indigenous animals such as egrets, blue herons, and alligator gar can return to the area, reestablishing the local ecosystem. Additionally roots that have spread through the gabions further reinforce the structure. Because gabions are so efficient they are long-lasting, which gives plants and animals a stable environment to thrive.