Wire mesh baskets, galvanized wire mesh baskets, hot-dip galvanized wire mesh baskets – These are essentially steel wire mesh cages used to encase stones, ensuring their fixed placement. They are made from wire or polymer mesh and are utilized for erosion control and ecological management in river channels and civil engineering projects. The wire baskets are constructed by weaving or welding steel wires. These structures can be electroplated or hot-dip galvanized, and the woven wire baskets can be coated with PVC. Stones resistant to weathering are used as filling material, ensuring the baskets remain intact even under abrasion. Baskets filled with different types of block stones possess unique characteristics. Angular block stones interlock well, and baskets filled with them are less prone to deformation.
Riprap Mesh Structure Requirements: The riprap mesh is mechanically woven from high-corrosion-resistant, high-tensile, and ductile low-carbon steel wire (galvanized iron wire) or wire coated with PVC. The box-like structure made from this mesh is known as a riprap mesh box. The diameter of the low-carbon steel wire used, according to ASTM and EN standards, varies based on engineering design requirements, generally ranging from 2.0 to 4.0 mm. The tensile strength of the riprap mesh wire must be no less than 38 kg/m², and the weight of the metallic coating is typically above 245 g/m². The diameter of the edge line of the riprap mesh panel is generally larger than that of the mesh wire. The length of the double twisted portion must not be less than 50 mm to ensure that the metallic and PVC coatings on the twisted wire are not damaged.
Advantages of gabion mesh structure:
The flexible structure can adapt to the changes in the slope without being damaged, offering even better safety and stability than rigid structures.
2. Strong erosion resistance, capable of withstanding water flow speeds up to 6m/s.
3. The structure is inherently permeable, demonstrating strong tolerance to the natural action and filtration of groundwater. Suspended particles and silt in the water settle in the gaps between the fill stones, thereby promoting the growth of natural vegetation and gradually restoring the original ecological environment.
Boulder wire mesh applications:
Wire mesh baskets are used for slope support, foundation pit support, rock surface mesh shotcrete, slope vegetation (greening), railway and highway isolation guardrails. They can also be made into boxes and pads, used for river, embankment, and sea dyke erosion protection, and reservoir and river interception net boxes. Known for their ecological protection features, wire mesh baskets are affectionately termed "ecological mesh" and are a structural method in China for the management of water conservancy projects, protection, and ecological environment restoration.
1. River and flood control and guidance
Severe river disasters occur when the flowing water erodes riverbanks, causing flooding that leads to massive losses of life, property, and soil erosion. Therefore, in addressing these issues, the use of the ecological grid structure has emerged as one solution, providing long-lasting protection for riverbeds and riverbanks.
2. In the construction of channel canal beds:
The construction of channels involves the stability of slopes and riverbeds. Therefore, the use of ecological mesh structures, which have been the primary method for transforming many natural rivers and excavating artificial channels over the past century, is crucial. It effectively protects riverbanks or riverbeds, controls water flow, and prevents water loss, particularly in terms of environmental protection and water quality maintenance. It also serves as a function to restore the ecological environment.
3. In terms of revetment and slope protection:
The structure of stone笼weave is a highly successful example in riverbank protection and slope foot defense. It fully utilizes the advantages of the ecological mesh, achieving ideal results that other methods cannot accomplish.
Galvanized Stone笼Mesh Material Classification:
Galvanized Steel Wire: Low-carbon steel wire with wire diameter of 2.0MM-4.0MM, tensile strength not less than 380Mpa, surface protected with hot-dipped galvanizing. The thickness of the galvanized layer is custom-made according to customer requirements, with a galvanizing weight up to 300g/m2 (electro-galvanized zinc coating is only about 10g).
2. Zinc-5% Aluminum-Mixed Rare Earth Alloy Wire (also known as Galfan) Wire: This is a newly emerging material in the international market. Its corrosion resistance is over three times that of traditional pure zinc-coated wire. The diameter of the wire can reach 1.0MM-3.0MM, and the tensile strength of the wire is not less than 1380Mpa.
3. Galvanized Steel Wire Coated with PVC: Low-carbon steel wire, coated with a layer of PVC protective layer on the surface, then woven into various specifications of hexagonal wire mesh.
Zinc-5% Aluminum-Mixed Rare Earth Alloy Wire Coated with PVC: The zinc-5% aluminum-mixed rare earth alloy wire is coated with a layer of PVC for protection, and then woven into various specifications of hexagonal wire mesh.
Reinforced wire cages demonstrate protective advantages in hydraulic engineering by:
Ideal ecological construction and restoration functions
The voids within the stone笼 netting and the mesh pads create conditions for water flow, facilitating natural exchange between water and soil, thus providing a habitat for aquatic life and microorganisms, enhancing the water body's self-purification ability, and protecting and improving water sources and quality. The voids in the filling material are filled with artificially laid soil layers or naturally deposited soil, creating conditions for landscaping and vegetation. Even without sowing seeds, plants will naturally grow, achieving environmental optimization, beautification, and the improvement and restoration of the ecological environment.
2. Excellent water permeability
Retaining walls and slope protection constructed with wire mesh boxes, filled with loose material, have numerous pores which facilitate the drainage of soil water from behind the masonry and beneath the slope. Once surface water infiltrates the soil, it can be quickly排出 through the masonry, effectively reducing groundwater levels and minimizing the groundwater pressure behind the walls and below the slope. The stone笼网 structure, in the treatment of landslides and the prevention of mudslides, timely drainage reduces the likelihood of wall destruction, and the wall's excellent deformation capacity effectively mitigates the impact of sudden external forces.
3. Stable and comprehensive permeability function.
The gabion mesh is a mechanically woven double twisted grid structure. Local damage will not cause the overall integrity of the box or cage to be compromised. The gabion mesh has a certain degree of deformation characteristics, integrating the entire project into a cohesive whole without the need for seams. Even if uneven settlement occurs, the overall structure will not crack or experience severe issues.
4. Simpler construction methods.
The stone笼 mesh technology can be produced in a factory setting according to design intentions, with semi-finished products. On the construction site, the assembly and shaping are done according to the design drawings, then laid on graded slopes or excavated foundations, forming retaining slopes or constructed into box culvert retaining walls. Filling materials are added, and the cover mesh is installed to complete the structure. The process is simple, minimally affected by weather conditions, and suitable for mechanized operations, ensuring both construction quality and accelerating the project timeline. During the construction process of a contractor, affected by the weather, workers originally assigned to build concrete retaining walls were transferred to install the stone笼 mesh retaining slopes.
5. Landscape Effect
The easy assembly and diverse color options of the stone笼 net structure allow for a wide range of structural design choices, meeting the landscape requirements of different regions. Combined with grass lawns and flower trees, we present a green retaining wall or slope.
6. Excellent corrosion and durability resistance.
The steel wire used in gabion mesh is coated with hot-dipped aluminum-zinc, providing a more stable surface finish that effectively reduces oxidation of the wire. After being processed with a resin film, it exhibits corrosion resistance, anti-static, anti-aging, and anti-oxidation properties, significantly extending its service life. Tests have shown that when plastic is soaked in 30% hydrochloric acid for 10 days, there is no discoloration or cracking. This indicates that the material is reliable even in highly polluted areas. The steel wire coated with resin film can last up to 70 years.
7. Strong resistance to erosion and storm surges.
The gabion mesh structure is highly effective for slope protection or retaining wall projects in rivers with high flow velocities, demonstrating strong resistance to erosion. According to relevant experiments, the erosion resistance coefficient of the gabion mesh structure is twice that of general rock pitching protection projects. Even if the boulders within the gabion mat are displaced by the water flow, the deformed box structure achieves a new equilibrium, ensuring overall integrity is not compromised. The gabion mesh structure is flexible, with a certain amount of space within the boxes filled with stones or other materials. When waves crash against the structure, the foam is crushed, reducing the impact force of wave pressure. As the wave crests recede, the gaps in the boxes disrupt the vacuum suction force of the waves, further reducing the damage to the protective works. Additionally, the overall structure can self-adjust slightly under the force of waves, effectively preventing cracks from forming in the wall.
Common structure forms of stone笼 net:
1. Gabion Mesh Boxes - These are wire mesh boxes crafted from heavy-duty hexagonal mesh, typically assembled from 4 panels of heavy-duty hexagonal mesh. One large hexagonal mesh panel is folded to form the 4 large faces of a rectangular prism, with two small hexagonal mesh panels at each end and a dividing mesh panel in the middle. The gabion mesh boxes can also be made in triangular or trapezoidal shapes, with the embankments formed by stacking these boxes having a sloping surface on a single plane.
Riprap mesh baskets, often used in hydraulic engineering for retaining walls, are constructed from stacked riprap mesh baskets ranging from 0.5 to 1.0 meters in height. These mesh basket retaining walls are primarily used on steep slopes to control mudslides, prevent landslides, and protect the subgrades of roads and railways. The reason for using riprap mesh baskets is their unique ecological function. A thin layer of soil sprinkled on the surface of the protective structure allows for greening, as the gaps between the stones accommodate soil, promoting the growth of plant roots and creating a favorable ecological environment. Even without soil, over time, the gaps between the stones will fill with silt, leading to the growth of herbaceous plants and the formation of a natural ecological environment. After the production of riprap mesh baskets is complete, they can be捆扎compressed for packaging to save space.
Section 2: Gabion matting is a heavy-duty hexagonal wire mesh cut and folded into metal mesh boxes. The thickness of the gabion matting ranges from 0.15 to 0.5 meters, significantly less than the length and width of the gabion box. The matting is divided into cells by single or double separators. To enhance the structural strength of the gabion matting, the diameter of the wire at the edges of the mesh plates is relatively thick. It is primarily used for riverbanks, embankments, road embankment slopes, and coastal slope structures. It not only prevents riverbanks from being eroded by water currents and waves but also achieves natural convection between the water body and the soil below the slope, achieving ecological balance. By spreading soil with gabion matting, green vegetation can be planted, adding to the landscape greening effect on the slope.
Section 3: Retaining walls made of gabion mesh are constructed by stacking layers of gabion baskets. The components of a gabion mesh retaining wall consist of stone blocks of similar size proportions filled within the mesh baskets, which allows for a certain porosity. Due to the gaps between the stones, soil and water beneath the masonry and slope can be drained, thus lowering the water level and reducing the ground water pressure behind the wall and below the slope. Prompt drainage minimizes the likelihood of the retaining wall being damaged, significantly extending its lifespan. Moreover, the wall baskets are made of wire mesh, which can deform to some extent. Additionally, the stones can slide against each other, providing the retaining wall with the ability to absorb and mitigate sudden external forces.
Four. Roadstone cages, available in two types: one for road protection, such as constructing a stone cage embankment along the road's side to resist floods and safeguard the road; and the other for reinforcing the subgrade with stone cage boxes. The second type involves placing heavy-duty hexagonal wire mesh as reinforcement during road construction or when pouring concrete for the road surface, preventing cracks in the pavement.
V. Stone笼Rolls - Woven into sheets ranging from 30 to 50 meters, these Stone笼rolls are rolled and laid directly on slopes for slope protection, preventing soil erosion and rock falls. They are also used for slope support, foundation pit support, rock face meshing for spraying, slope vegetation (greening), isolation and protection barriers for railways and highways, as well as erosion protection for rivers, dams, and sea dikes.
Operation of Stone笼Mesh:
1. Operation of gabion mesh sinking, first involves sinking the gabion mesh woven from wire. It can also be electroplated and coated with PVC (polyvinyl chloride), and PVC gabion mesh sinking can also be used for shore protection and toe protection.
2. Stone Boxes (Box-shaped stone baskets). Grid-shaped baskets are more flexible than welded ones, hence their performance in adapting to settlement and load is different. Although careful filling of stone materials is necessary to ensure a dense packing of stones, it is sometimes considered that rigid stone boxes are easier to fill, especially for non-standard shapes, such as turns or areas where significant settlement may occur. When woven wire or polymer grid structures can deform without losing strength, these types of structures are preferred.
3. Fill the gabion net with weather-resistant, hard stone blocks that won't quickly break due to abrasion in stone boxes or gabion mats. Gabion nets filled with different types of stone blocks have varying characteristics. Angular stone blocks can interlock well, making gabions filled with them less prone to deformation. Thus, they are more effective in large retaining walls resistant to shearing than round stones, and also benefit the connection of gabions. The general size of the fill is 1.5 times the average mesh size. Individual stone blocks should not be smaller than the standard mesh size (commonly used woven gabion sizes range from 60mm x 80mm to 100mm x 120mm), and generally should not exceed 200mm in standard size. For stone blocks placed away from the gabion's surface and inside, the size requirements for small blocks may sometimes be relaxed.
4. Internal Filling. Mechanical filling is generally faster and cheaper, but it is not as well-controlled as manual filling. For ornamental retaining walls, a good appearance and a dense structure should be achieved. When using either method, the filling material must completely fill the wire mesh baskets. The filling material must be packed well to minimize voids, ensuring good contact between individual stones, and packed as tightly as possible to reduce the possibility of stone movement within the baskets. Both polygonal and round stones can be packed tightly when the filling material size is within the normal range, with additional soil added if necessary.
Rubble Mesh
