CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This chapter presented the review of related literature and studies that have relationship

to the research study and would provide insights relevant to the study.

2.1 Related Literature

This study consisted of the following literature:

An exposed ground surface that stands at an angle with the horizontal is called an

unrestrained slope. The slope can be natural or man-made slope. Slope can collapse easily by

shear if the soil is nearly saturated and high pore pressure can be built up rapidly. The falling

debris carried by its potential and momentum can rush down the slope at very high speed and

travel a long distance causing huge damages. (Das, B., Principles of Geotechnical Engineering

7th Edition, 2010 pg. 512)

The design of gabion wall is a way to improve the stability of slopes. This structure is

usually provided at the toe of a slope to stabilize it from slide, overturn or collapse. A slope will

be relatively stable when its profile (section angle) is kept below its angle of repose. Angle of

repose is an angle that maintains naturally to a safe equilibrium by the composing material of a

slope. This angle deviates from differing materials depending on their compaction, particle size

and the nature of the materials itself. (www.scribd.com/document/286906033/Review-of-

Related-Literature)
 In the Philippines, Gabion or Reno Mattresses are often used as slope protection because

they can change shape and settle a lot without any damage – gabions are good for protecting

slopes.

The following are steps of assembly and construction from the DPWH-Blue Book:

1. Gabions shall be installed in a workmanlike manner. The gabions shall be placed on a

smooth foundation. Final line and grade shall be approved by the Engineer. Each

Gabion unit shall be assembled by binding together all vertical edges with wire ties

on approximately 152mm (6 inches) spacing or by a continuous piece of connecting

wire stitched around the vertical edges with a coil every 102mm (4 inches). Empty

gabion units shall be set to line and grade as shown on the Plans or as described by

the Engineer. Wire ties or connecting wires shall be used to join the units together in

the same manner as described above for assembling. Internal tie wires shall be

uniformly spaced and securely fastened in each cell of the structure. A standard fence

stretcher, chain fall, or iron rod may be used to stretch the wire baskets and hold

alignment.

2. When possible the subgrade of the mattress and gabion shall be properly compacted

to a depth of 150mm. The Contractor shall consider the cost of subgrade preparation

in the unit prices. Filter fabric as beds of gabions and mattresses forming the structure

shall be suitably leveled and shall be securely connected along the complete length of

all contact edges by means of the above specified tying and connecting wire.

3. Before the filling material is placed, the gabions and mattresses shall be carefully

selected for uniformity of size, and the pieces shall be hand placed to provide a neat

appearance as approved by the Engineer. The gabions shall be filled with stone
 carefully placed by hand or machine to assure alignment and avoid bulges with a

minimum voids. Alternate placing of rock and connection wires shall be performed

until the gabion is filled. After a gabion has been filled, the lid shall be bent over until

it meets the sides and edges. The lid shall then be secured to the sides, ends and

diaphragms with the wire ties or connecting wire in the manner described for

assembling. The vertical joints of gabions and mattress baskets shall be staggered as

in running bond in brickwork.

4. The cells in any row shall be filled in stage so that local deformation may be avoided.

That is at no time shall the cell be filled to a depth exceeding 30 cm more than the

adjoining cell.

5. Filter fabric shall be placed between earth surface and gabion or mattress structures.

Filter fabric shall be rolled out into a flat non-rutted surface free from sharp objects,

weighing down the edges. Construction equipment shall not be allowed into

unprotected fabric. Jointing is normally affected by overlapping not less than 300mm,

but it is preferable to joint by sewing or industrial stapling. Joint edges should be

facing downwards to avoid protruding through the surface material.

Retaining structures are vital geotechnical structure, because the topography of the

earth’s surface is a combination of plain, sloppy and undulating terrain. The retaining wall resists

thrust of a bank of earth as well as providing soil stability of a change of ground elevation.

Retaining wall is a wall to prevent the material of an embankment or cut from the sliding.

(Webster’s Comprehensive Dictionary 1999 Edition).

A satisfactory retaining wall must meet the following requirements, the wall is

structurally capable of withstanding the earth’s pressure applied to it and that the foundation of
the wall is capable of supporting both the weight of the wall and the force resulting from the

earth’s pressure acting upon it without overturning or soil failure, and sliding of the wall and

foundation (Abdullahi, 2009).

DPWH-Blue Book is widely used in the field of civil engineering. Construction of

government infrastructure facilities of the highest quality has always been the primary mandate

of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Cognizant of the importance of

providing effective standard specifications to be used in the implementation of projects, that will

produce sound, durable and economical structures.

2.2 Related Studies

Numerous studies have been conducted in countries like, India and Netherlands about the

efficiency of Gabion Basket.

One such study is that Gabion Walls can be Decorative Gabion Elements, and it offer

suitable environment for the growth of plant roots it can be use in indoor or outdoor decoration,

garden design and landscaping

Decorative Gabion Elements are preferred because of their flexibility, permeable nature,

low costs, environmentally friendly and aesthetically pleasing nature in replacement for gravity

retaining walls. In today’s technology, production of flexible wires and the use of these wires up

to 30-100 years without any deformation make Decorative gabion elements indispensable. For a

green world, humanity needs the natural materials to enter our lives much more such as gabion

elements
2.3 Flow Chart

This study on the approach of design of gabion walls system applied on the Slope

Protection in Limpapa Highway, Zamboanga City shows the flow chart below.

Figure1. Flow Chart for the Design Of Gabion Walls

2.4 Operational Definition of Key Variables and Other terms

 Arrow on Node (AoN) – project management term that refers to a precedence diagramming

method which uses boxes to identify the construction duration of the Gabion Walls.
 Welded wire mesh – an electric fusion welded prefabricated joined grid consisting of a series

of parallel longitudinal wires with accurate spacing welded to cross wires at the required

spacing.

 Cost estimate – an approximation of the probable cost of project, computed on the basis of

available information like material cost and labor cost.

 Slope protection – refers to the condition of inclined soil or rock slopes to withstand or

undergo movement.

 Geogrid – geosynthetic material used to reinforce soils and similar materials.

 Load Bearing – supporting much of the weight of the overlying parts of a building or other

structure.
 CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

This chapter presented a detailed procedure for the design of the research, collection of

primary and secondary data required for the study as well as the analysis was explained in the

chapter.

3.1 Research Locale

This study will be conducted at Limpapa Highway Zamboanga City (see appendix A for

the map)
3.2 Research Design

This study utilized the Quantitative and Qualitative Research Design to determine the

structural design, cost, and duration of the gabion walls.

Quantitative data were analyzed by observing the numerical data from the given standards

and specification based on the DPWH-Blue book used to design the structure. Quantitative data

also included the Cost Estimates for the analysis of the overall cost of the structure both

materials and labor cost.

Qualitative data were analyzed by researching the activities procedure.

The data gathered were based on the following

3.3.1 Department of Public Works and Highways –Blue Book

The DPWH-Blue Book was utilized to ensure the standard and specification of the

proposed infrastructure in this study. The revision was made in response to some valid comments

on the use said specifications to suit the actual field conditions and in consonance with the policy

direction of the Department to improve the quality of infrastructure projects.

3.3.2 Hardware

Material and equipment cost were computed based on the provided data like prices

materials and rental cost of equipment to identify the cost efficient in terms of materials and

equipment cost of gabion walls

3.3.3 Productivity Rate

Labor cost was computed with the Productivity Rates of Workers and/or Staff to identify

the cost efficient in terms of materials and equipment cost of gabion walls.

3.4 Design Procedures

3.4.1 Modeling

The modeling of Gabion wall shall be in accordance with DPWH-Blue Book (Item 511).
 3.4.2 Working Drawings

The design outputs that were calculated in this study with the use of AutoCAD, Sketch

Up, and Microsoft Word were as follows:

a.) Structural layout

b.) Architectural layout

c.) Foundation layout

3.4.3 Construction Project Management (CPM)

CPM included the list and order of activities to be able to identify the total duration

project using Activity on Nodes (AoN).

3.4.4 Cost Estimates

The cost estimates, total estimated project cost, was the summation of material,

equipment, labor, and transportation cost.