For the reason that the efficient use of gabion and the choice of stone aggregate depends on the effectiveness of solving the tasks, it is necessary to approach the choice of material with all responsibility. Experts recommend the use of natural or artificial coarse stone, which meets the requirements for shape, composition, size and characteristics. The choice of stone is determined by the type of structure, which can be underwater or surface. Sometimes it is acceptable to use local material.
The choice of stone in shape and material
If you need a stone for gabions, then you should use the experience of the majority and choose the most popular material, which is a stone of solid igneous rock, namely:
- basalt;
- granite;
- diorite;
- quartzite.
It is allowed to use sandstone and other metamorphic rocks, which are distinguished by high strength and stability. The shape very often does not matter, because only decorative structures should have a certain shape of the material, whereas for functional landscape structures, a size that should be greater than the parameters of the gabion cells matters.
Stone size
Choosing a stone for gabions, which will serve as a shore protection, you should be guided by the rule that states: the design should be as reliable and efficient as possible. Other tasks are the durability and feasibility of using the design. In this case, it is important to carefully consider the choice of stone fraction.
For surface gabions, it should exceed the mesh size by 30% or more. For underwater structures, the size of the stone should be 50% larger than the grid cell, the same applies to the filling of gabions, which will be used in areas with a variable water level. Usually gabions are not filled with material whose fraction exceeds 250 mm. For use in areas with wave loads, filling involves placing the stone at 2/3 of the height. For uniform filling of the cavity, it is permissible to use 10% of the total volume of aggregate of substandard stone material of less impressive fraction in accordance with the project.
Stone selection by characteristics
When choosing a stone for gabions, you should also pay attention to its characteristics. The main ones are stability and strength. The latter should be equal to M1000 or more. As for frost resistance, it should not be lower than F150.
If you decide to purchase a granite aggregate, you should clarify the degree of radioactivity, because imported stone may not meet Russian standards. After the competent calculation of retaining walls and protective structures, as well as the choice of stone, it is possible to solve the most complex tasks of territorial planning, decorative improvement and reinforcement.
Choice of additional features
A stone for gabions, in addition to the above characteristics, must also correspond to additional ones. Among other features, it is worth highlighting the specific gravity, which must be increased. Experts recommend the use of material for which this characteristic starts from 17.5 kN / m 3 . If you decide to carry out the construction of a hydraulic structure, this parameter should be equal to 23 kN / m 3 or more. In this case, the structure will be immersed in water. It is important to pay attention to the resistance to blur. This parameter is determined by water absorption, which should be at least 0.6%.
Choose a stone with good hardness, this parameter is determined on the Protodyakonov scale and should not be less than 19. If you decide to build a fence of stones, gabions can be filled with material with a certain softening factor. It determines the decrease in strength when immersed in water. This coefficient should not exceed 0.9, which is true for igneous and metamorphic rocks. As for sedimentary, for them the coefficient of softness should be 0.8 or less. Such a stone can be used for operation in hydraulic structures.
If you plan to fill the gabions with stone, you should pay attention to the loss of mass of the material. It determines the stability of the structure against decay and should not exceed 10%. Particular attention should be paid to environmental cleanliness. There is no need to rush to get a gabion filler, which is too cheap, even if its appearance is impeccable. When there is no certificate for the material, this may indicate its radioactivity. Stones simply can be dangerous not only for health but also for the environment.
Glass stone
Glass stone for gabions may be one of the best solutions to fill the structure. This material has a size ranging from 1 to 30 cm. When using it, you can take as a basis the main property of glass, which is expressed in the ability to transmit light. This opens up many interesting possibilities.
When exposed to sunlight, the effect of refraction is obtained, which makes the edges beautifully iridescent. You can change the color highlight by playing with the light, then the same stones will look different at certain times of the day. It is noteworthy that this stone is environmentally friendly, as it is natural, so it can be used close to a person.
You can choose glass in several shades, sometimes such stones are made to order. As an alternative solution, manufacturers even offer small polished pebbles, which are angular-shaped glass pebbles. They resemble fine-grained rubble and can be an excellent decoration. Grinding is carried out using special technology, so it is impossible to cut yourself on pebbles. Such gravel can have sharp edges, and its price is 100 rubles. per kilogram, the final cost depends on size, processing and color.
Alternative solutions: rubble stone
Another excellent solution for filling gabions is rubble stone. Its price per ton is 1350 rubles. In this case, we are talking about a material whose fraction varies from 20 to 40 mm. If the size of the stone is 5-20 mm, then you will have to pay 1,400 rubles for it. per ton. When the dimensions of the elements increase to 70-150 mm, the price becomes equal to 1450 rubles. per ton.
Usually rubble stone for gabions is made from the following breeds:
- sandstone;
- crystalline schists;
- gray pink granite;
- quartzite;
- quartzite-sandstone;
- porphyritis.
Typically, the shape of the rubble fillers is round or rectangular, but materials with a polygonal shape can be used. It all depends on the project and conditions. Sometimes stones of a certain shape are required, but for the filler this factor is not determining.
Conclusion
Granite stone for gabions also belongs to the described class, its dimensions, as a rule, are from 7 to 25 cm, less often - 40 cm. For the project, you can order material of one or different sizes, but the minimum dimensions should be larger than the cell size by 30 -fifty %. Between rubble stones, cracks and voids are usually left that are not clogged by sand and earth.