What is a gabion?

What is a gabion?

• A. A protective coating for pipes.
• B. A cage or box filled with rocks for civil engineering and landscaping.
• C. A device used for measuring ground motion.
• D. A type of soil amendment.

Answer: (B)

A gabion is a cage or box, usually made from wire mesh, that is filled with rocks. This rock-filled container is used in civil engineering and landscaping to build retaining walls, stabilize slopes, and control erosion along channels and riverbanks. The combination of heavy rock mass and permeable mesh allows water to drain through, which reduces hydrostatic pressure behind the structure and helps it survive ground movement without failing. Gabions are versatile and can be stacked or joined to form long walls or mattress lines, often using locally sourced stone for economy and ecological fit. They’re different from a protective coating for pipes, a device for measuring ground motion, or a soil amendment, which serve unrelated purposes.

A gabion is a cage or box, usually made from wire mesh, that is filled with rocks. This rock-filled container is used in civil engineering and landscaping to build retaining walls, stabilize slopes, and control erosion along channels and riverbanks. The combination of heavy rock mass and permeable mesh allows water to drain through, which reduces hydrostatic pressure behind the structure and helps it survive ground movement without failing. Gabions are versatile and can be stacked or joined to form long walls or mattress lines, often using locally sourced stone for economy and ecological fit. They’re different from a protective coating for pipes, a device for measuring ground motion, or a soil amendment, which serve unrelated purposes.