GB1588415A

GB1588415A - Gabions

Info

Publication number: GB1588415A
Application number: GB2820276A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: GKN Reinforcements Ltd
Current assignee: GKN Reinforcements Ltd
Priority date: 1977-10-04
Filing date: 1977-10-04
Publication date: 1981-04-23

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO GABIONS (71) We, GKN REINFORCEMENTS LIM ITED, a British company of Alma Street, Smethwick, Warley, West Midlands, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- This invention relates to gabions.

Gabions are containers which are usually generally cuboid in shape and are made of metal mesh. They are adapted to be filled with stone or other ballast so as to make structural units used in retaining walls and harbour structures for example.

Gabions have previously been formed on site from generally rectangular panels of metal mesh which are secured together by workmen using rings, clips or wires to join adjacent edges together. Each gabion therefore has a plurality of joints and requires considerable assembly time on site.

It is an object of the invention to provide a new or improved gabion assembly.

According to the invention there is provided a gabion assembly comprising a plurality of gabion elements interlocked together; each said gabion element being made of metal mesh formed from elongate metal strands and having at least one planar portion, at least one of the elements having an edge provided with integral connection means along its length comprising a plurality of projecting free ends of the metal strands of the mesh interlocked with the mesh of an adjacent edge of an adjacent element to interlock the elements together; a planar portion of an element serving as a common wall of two adjacent elements of the assembly.

Conveniently at least one of said elements has two planar portions integrally formed together and angularly inclined with respect to one another to provide two adjacent walls of the element. At least one of the elements may be provided with three planar portions integrally formed together, each substantially at right angles to its adjacent portion so as to define a generally squared-off U-shape, both free ends of the U-shape being provided with said connection means.

The integral connection means comprising the plurality of free ends of the metal strands of the mesh are conveniently of hooked configuration.

The invention will now be described in more detail by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawing which illustrates diagrammatically components used in the formation of gabion assemblies according to the invention, in exploded perspective.

Referring to the drawing, this shows an exploded perspective view of a typical assembly of gabion elements, some of the parts being shown in heavy lines for purposes of description and other parts being shown in faint outline. The units shown are of four basic types which may be made in a range of different sizes and proportions. The particular items used in any gabion assembly will depend on the circumstances of use and the particular types of unit available to the workmen on site.

In principle, the larger elements should be used in preference to the smaller so that fewer elements are required to make up the gabion assembly. This also means that fewer joints need to be made between adjacent elements and hence that the gabions are stronger in use.

Referring to the drawing, a first type of basic U-shaped unit 10 is illustrated. This comprises a sheet of metal wire mesh having two right angled bends at 11 and 12 so that the plan view of the unit is generally of squared off U-shape. The free ends of the limbs have connecting hooks 13 formed by projecting ends of the wire of the mesh which are turned over into a hook formation. These hooks are provided right along the length of the end edges of the U-shaped unit 10.

Another basic unit is the flat unit shown at 14. This comprises a flat sheet of metal mesh having hook formations 15 along a pair of opposed edges and "bob" formations 16 along the other pair of opposed edges. The bobs are right angled bends at the free ends of the wire as shown.

A second form of flat unit 17 is also shown in the drawing, this being formed from a sheet of mesh which is not provided with hooks 15 or bobs 16. As can be seen from the drawing, the second type of flat unit can be provided in various sizes and proportions.

This also holds true for the other units. A square and a rectangular unit is shown by way of example in the drawing in heavy outline.

Finally, the fourth type of unit illustrated in the drawing is an L-shaped unit 18 formed from a sheet of mesh bent at right angles at the position 19 to form an L-shape as seen in plan view in the drawing. The free ends of the L-shaped unit are provided with hooks 20.

The basic elements can be assembled in many different ways to form a gabion assembly as previously described. It will be appreciated that the main weakness in a conventional gabion occurs at the edges because the wire mesh of which a gabion is made is of much greater strength than the small clips or rings conventionally used to hold the edges together. Because the clips or rings are added by workmen on site, there is a danger that an insufficient number will be used to prevent the edge from gaping open when the gabion is filled with stones or other ballast.

Consequently, the present invention is most advantageously used when the minimum number of joints are made in the construction of a gabion assembly. Thus, the basic unit is to be regarded as the U-shaped element 10 which forms three adjacent walls of a gabion element without any intervening joints.

In the assembly shown in the drawing, the upper layer of gabion elements is made up from U-shaped units 10 which are secured together by means of the hooks 13 in a row, the U-shapes of the elements being directed in the same direction. Bases are provided for these gabion units by the flat units 14 which are secured to the undersides of the respective U-shaped units 10 by means of the hooks 15 and bobs 16. The hooks are usually attached simply by hooking through the first wire of the mesh forming the unit to be attached whereas the bobs normally extend somewhat parallel with the wall to which they are to be attached and are turned over to interlock the elements by acting on the bobs with a hammer for example.

The gabion elements can be filled with ballast and the tops closed by means of flat units 14 or, more conveniently by units 17. It will be seen that the U-shaped units 10 have bobs 21 along all the upper edges and these can be slipped through the mesh of a second type of flat unit 17 and turned over by hammer blows to secure the unit into position.

The use of the L-shaped unit 18 is also shown in the drawing at the lowermost corner. Where a row of gabion elements has been assembled using the U-shaped units, it will be appreciated that a second row of gabion elements can be assembled to them, needing only two additional upright walls per unit except at one end of the row. This is because one upright wall of each existing gabion element also serves as a wall forming part of the second row of gabion elements to be added, thereby using only a minimum of mesh and representing a considerable saving in material, over conventional individual gabions (which may be as much as 20% of the niaterial used).

The L-shaped units 18 are used as shown in the drawing. At the end of the second row of gabion elements, a U-shaped unit 10 is required or the end can be closed using a flat unit 14 or 17. Bases and tops will be provided where required by the flat unit 14 or 17.

The angled unit shown at 22 in the drawing is identical with the unit 18 but has been shown inclined at an angle. The unit can be connected in this position for example to the U-shaped unit 10. Thus for example if a retaining wall is to be built on an uneven ground base, the unit can be assembled to follow the general contour of the ground by attaching the unit at angles using the hooks which can be interlocked with any part of the mesh of an adjacent unit.

It is believed that the formation of gabion assemblies by the method described results in considerable savings (perhaps 20 or 25%) in the amount of mesh used to construct a gabion wall of a given size, and hence lower costs. This is because conventional gabions are individual boxes, each having six walls, irrespective of whether they are stacked adjacent another box or not.

The assembly time required for conventional gabions is correspondingly much higher because the fastenings used are separate from the gabion. It is a relatively quick and simple matter to hook the connecting elements together and if necessary act on them- using a hammer or simple hand tool to form a secure connection.

It is further believed that the strength of individual gabion elements is likely to be improved provided that they are made up using the largest elements 10 and 18 as much as possible. This is because the bent mesh is much stronger than a joint would be.

In addition to the probable improvement in the strength of individual gabion elements, the strength of the structure formed from a number of gabion elements is improved because the parts are interlocked together rather than being held in place simply by the weight of the ballast.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A gabion assembly comprising a plu

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. in the drawing, this being formed from a sheet of mesh which is not provided with hooks 15 or bobs 16. As can be seen from the drawing, the second type of flat unit can be provided in various sizes and proportions. This also holds true for the other units. A square and a rectangular unit is shown by way of example in the drawing in heavy outline. Finally, the fourth type of unit illustrated in the drawing is an L-shaped unit 18 formed from a sheet of mesh bent at right angles at the position 19 to form an L-shape as seen in plan view in the drawing. The free ends of the L-shaped unit are provided with hooks 20. The basic elements can be assembled in many different ways to form a gabion assembly as previously described. It will be appreciated that the main weakness in a conventional gabion occurs at the edges because the wire mesh of which a gabion is made is of much greater strength than the small clips or rings conventionally used to hold the edges together. Because the clips or rings are added by workmen on site, there is a danger that an insufficient number will be used to prevent the edge from gaping open when the gabion is filled with stones or other ballast. Consequently, the present invention is most advantageously used when the minimum number of joints are made in the construction of a gabion assembly. Thus, the basic unit is to be regarded as the U-shaped element 10 which forms three adjacent walls of a gabion element without any intervening joints. In the assembly shown in the drawing, the upper layer of gabion elements is made up from U-shaped units 10 which are secured together by means of the hooks 13 in a row, the U-shapes of the elements being directed in the same direction. Bases are provided for these gabion units by the flat units 14 which are secured to the undersides of the respective U-shaped units 10 by means of the hooks 15 and bobs 16. The hooks are usually attached simply by hooking through the first wire of the mesh forming the unit to be attached whereas the bobs normally extend somewhat parallel with the wall to which they are to be attached and are turned over to interlock the elements by acting on the bobs with a hammer for example. The gabion elements can be filled with ballast and the tops closed by means of flat units 14 or, more conveniently by units 17. It will be seen that the U-shaped units 10 have bobs 21 along all the upper edges and these can be slipped through the mesh of a second type of flat unit 17 and turned over by hammer blows to secure the unit into position. The use of the L-shaped unit 18 is also shown in the drawing at the lowermost corner. Where a row of gabion elements has been assembled using the U-shaped units, it will be appreciated that a second row of gabion elements can be assembled to them, needing only two additional upright walls per unit except at one end of the row. This is because one upright wall of each existing gabion element also serves as a wall forming part of the second row of gabion elements to be added, thereby using only a minimum of mesh and representing a considerable saving in material, over conventional individual gabions (which may be as much as 20% of the niaterial used). The L-shaped units 18 are used as shown in the drawing. At the end of the second row of gabion elements, a U-shaped unit 10 is required or the end can be closed using a flat unit 14 or 17. Bases and tops will be provided where required by the flat unit 14 or 17. The angled unit shown at 22 in the drawing is identical with the unit 18 but has been shown inclined at an angle. The unit can be connected in this position for example to the U-shaped unit 10. Thus for example if a retaining wall is to be built on an uneven ground base, the unit can be assembled to follow the general contour of the ground by attaching the unit at angles using the hooks which can be interlocked with any part of the mesh of an adjacent unit. It is believed that the formation of gabion assemblies by the method described results in considerable savings (perhaps 20 or 25%) in the amount of mesh used to construct a gabion wall of a given size, and hence lower costs. This is because conventional gabions are individual boxes, each having six walls, irrespective of whether they are stacked adjacent another box or not. The assembly time required for conventional gabions is correspondingly much higher because the fastenings used are separate from the gabion. It is a relatively quick and simple matter to hook the connecting elements together and if necessary act on them- using a hammer or simple hand tool to form a secure connection. It is further believed that the strength of individual gabion elements is likely to be improved provided that they are made up using the largest elements 10 and 18 as much as possible. This is because the bent mesh is much stronger than a joint would be. In addition to the probable improvement in the strength of individual gabion elements, the strength of the structure formed from a number of gabion elements is improved because the parts are interlocked together rather than being held in place simply by the weight of the ballast. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A gabion assembly comprising a plu

rality of gabion elements interlocked together; each said gabion element being made of metal mesh formed from elongate metal strands and having at least one planar portion, at least one of the elements having an edge provided with integral connection means along its length comprising a plurality of projecting free ends of the metal strands of the mesh interlocked with the mesh of an adjacent edge of an adjacent element to interlock the elements together; a planar portion of an element serving as a common wall of two adjacent elements of the assembly.

2. A gabion assembly as claimed in Claim 1 wherein at least one of said elements has two planar portions integrally formed together and angularly inclined with respect to one another to provide two adjacent walls of the element.

3. A gabion assembly as claimed in Claim 1 wherein at least one of said elements has three planar portions integrally formed together, each substantially at right angles to its adjacent portion so as to define a generally squared-off U-shape, both free ends of the U-shape being provided with said connection means.

4. A gabion assembly as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the integral connection means comprising the plurality of free ends of the metal strands of the mesh are of hooked configuration.

5. A gabion assembly comprising a plurality of gabion elements each constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.