What is the minimum factor of safety against sliding for a gabion wall?

A minimum factor of safety of 1.5 is required (Clause 5.3.3.1).

What kind of stone should be used in gabions?

Hard, durable, dense, and non-weathering stone. The smallest dimension of any stone should be at least twice the larger dimension of the mesh opening (Clause 3.2).

Is a foundation required for a gabion wall?

Yes, the wall must be built on a firm, level foundation prepared by removing topsoil and loose material. A concrete base is sometimes used for major structures (Clause 6.2).

How is drainage handled behind a gabion wall?

Gabions are free-draining, but a filter of geotextile or graded aggregate must be placed behind the wall to allow water to pass without washing out the retained soil (Clause 5.5).

IS 14065

: 1994

Gabions - Code of Practice for Design and Construction

CurrentSpecializedCode of PracticeBIMGeotechnical · Geosynthetics and Ground Improvement

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This code provides guidelines for the design and construction of gabion structures used for retaining walls, channel linings, and erosion protection. It covers material specifications for wire mesh and stone fill, design principles for stability analysis, and construction procedures for assembly and placement.

Provides guidelines for the design and construction of gabions for retaining structures, erosion control, and other civil engineering applications.

Quick Reference Values

Minimum Factor of Safety against Sliding1.5

Minimum Factor of Safety against Overturning1.5

Typical bulk unit weight of filled gabion18 kN/m³

Design Porosity of Gabion Fill30%

Coefficient of friction (gabion on coarse sand/gravel)0.6

Minimum zinc coating on wireAs per IS 4826, varies by wire diameter

Key Formulas

FS_sliding = (ΣV * tan(δ)) / ΣH ≥ 1.5 — Factor of Safety against Sliding

FS_overturning = ΣM_resisting / ΣM_overturning ≥ 1.5 — Factor of Safety against Overturning

q_max/min = (ΣV/B) * (1 ± 6e/B) < q_allowable — Bearing Pressure Check

Practical Notes

Ensure a filter (geotextile or graded granular material) is used behind/beneath the gabion structure to prevent loss of fine soil particles from the backfill, which can cause settlement and loss of support.

Internal connecting wires (diaphragms and tie wires) are critical for maintaining the rectangular shape and preventing bulging under load. Their correct placement is not optional.

Stones should be tightly hand-packed at the exposed faces for a neat appearance and machine-filled in the core, ensuring minimum voids to achieve the design density and prevent future settlement.