METHOD STATEMENT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF GABION WALLS AT

CH: 167+964 ~ CH: 168+016 LHS AND CH: 143+678~ CH143+690 LHS

Fig 01- Gabion wall construction area at Ch: 167+964- Ch: 168+016 LHS

1. INTRODUCTION

There are two gabion walls to be constructed at CH 143+678- 143+690 LHS and CH
167+964-168+016 LHS. Two walls have named Gabion Wall 01 (GW 1) and Gabion
Wall 2 (GW 2) respectively hereafter.

1.a) Total length of the GW 1 is 12 m and the height of the wall is about 3.0 m. The
bottom width is 3.0 m and the top width is 1.0 m. the wall is to be slanted 6 0 towards the
road from its vertical position. GW1 is constructed to prevent the collapsing of the LHS
of road.

1.b) Total length of the wall is 52 m and the height of the wall is about 3.0 m. The bottom
width is 2.0 m and the top width is 1.0 m. The wall is to be slanted 6 0 outward from the
road from its vertical position. The top level of the backfill should have a slope of 2:1. A
sub soil drainage line is also to be constructed beneath the Gabion wall. According to the
actual site condition, Gabion wall height and length may be changed.

2. TERMS USED

a) The selvedges of Gabions- thicker perimeter edge wires to which the wire mesh is
securely tied to withstand sudden or gradual stress from any direction
b) The diaphragms- the internal wire mesh partitions which divide the Gabion into
equal sized cells.
c) Lacing and bracing wire – used to assemble and join the Gabion units
d) Connecting wires are the internal wires used to prevent the Gabions from bulging.

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3. PROPOSAL FOR CONSTRUCTION

3. 1a) Preparation of the base and setting out (GW 1)

Initially excavation is done to prepare the existing ground to required level in order
to provide space for the construction and working space. Then earth fill is
completed with required compaction to maintain an inclination with horizontal.
(Slope 1: 0.105). Thereafter setting out of the bottom mat of the Gabion wall is
performed. Excavated soil is dumped at dumping location located at Balangoda by-
pass.

3. 1b) Preparation of the base and setting out (GW 2)

Initially clearing and grubbing is done to prepare the existing ground for reaching
the design level. Existing excavated slope is also trimmed to provide space for the
wall inclusive of working space. Then trench is setting out and excavated to
required line, grade and level so that sub soil drain can be constructed. Then earth
fill is completed on existing ground level to maintain an inclination with horizontal.
(Slope 1: 0.105). Thereafter setting out of the bottom mat of the Gabion wall is
performed. Dumping location available at CH 168+ 000 RHS will be used to dump
the excavated material.

3.2 Preparation of the Gabion Material

The Gabion material should be opened out flat on the ground and stretched to remove all
kinks and bends. The Gabion boxes should be assembled individually, by raising the
sides, ends and diaphragms. This is to ensure that all creases are in the correct position
and that the tops of all four sides and the diaphragms are even. The four corner edges of
the Gabion boxes should be laced first, followed by the edges of internal diaphragms to
the sides.

3.3 Erection of Gabion units

Gabion wall is constructed in three steps. Two sizes of Gabion boxes will be used.

Ste Gabion box size Gabion box size

p GW1 GW 2
1 1.5 m × 1.0 m × 1.0 m 2.0 m × 1.0 m × 1.0 m
2 1.5 m × 1.0 m × 1.0 m 1.5 m × 1.0 m × 1.0 m
3 2.0 m × 1.0 m × 1.0 m 2.0 m × 1.0 m × 1.0 m

Table 01

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Initially Geo textile material is laid on the earth fill. The Gabion box is placed on the geo
textile layer and then rubble (225 mm x 100 mm size) packing is done. The stone filling
should be rip-rap. After 1/3 of height of the Gabion box is packed with rubbles, opposite
sides of the Gabion box should be connected as shown in Fig. 02. Once the Gabion box is
filled up to 2/3 of height of the box, opposite sides of the box will be connected as
previous. This is to be done to avoid bulging. This will help to maintain the true
rectangular shape. Then lid should be tied up using lacing and bracing wire.

Lacing should commence by twisting the end of the lacing wire tightly around the
selvedges. It should then pass round the two edges being joined. The ends of all lacing
wires shall be turned to the inside of the box on completion of each lacing operation.
After completion of step 01, vertical plane of the embankment side is covered by means
of approved Geo-textile material.

Then backfilling is done up to the top level of the bottom Gabion box. Backfilling is
carried out using laboratory approved soil which is free of foreign materials. Compaction
will be done using a rammer or small vibratory roller. Next, second and third steps would
be constructed respectively. Geo-textile material application and backfilling would be
done after the completion of each step of Gabion box construction.

Same procedure will be followed to complete other stages. The length of the stages
depends on the site condition (See fig. 03).

4. TRAFFIC SAFETY AND DIVERSION

Since part of the LHS of the road section has to be used for storing materials and
equipment, the RHS is shortened. Therefore traffic control devices will be used to
maintain a smooth traffic flow. Following sign boards will be used. Traffic cones will be
placed to demarcate the working area.

1. Men at works (Both sides)

2. Barricade boards (Both sides)
3. Road works ahead (Both sides )
4. Pass this side

5. UTILITY SHIFTING AND OBSTACLES

5. a) A telecom line and electricity line are there just above the working area. Therefore
excavator operator will be instructed to avoid disturbances to those utility lines while
excavation is carried out at GW 1 premises.

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5. b) Since there are no any CEB posts or telecom posts, utility shifting may not be a
problem at GW 2 premises.

6. PERSONAL SAFETY

Necessary personal protective equipments would be provided to required workers and

staff workers such as helmets, gloves, safety boots.

7. PUBLIC SAFETY

7.a) Since GW 1 is constructed in town area, it is liable to receive public complains.

Therefore storing material will be done at space available on opposite side of road.
Rubbles will be stored without disturbing business places at the same side.

7. b) No houses are located near to the G W 2 construction premises. Therefore minimum

number of complains from public can be expected. Materials will be stored at the same
side without disturbing the traffic flow.

8. SPECIFICATIONS & QUALITY CONTROL MEASURES

Unit Description
Mesh type – 80 mm
Wire Diameter- 3.7 mm
Gabion box
Boxes are divided by Diaphragms into cells
of 1 m length
Wire diameter- 3.9 mm. The cut edges of
all mesh used in the construction of
Gabions, except the bottom edges of the
Selvedges
end panels and diaphragms shall be tightly
selvedged.

Wire diameter- 2.2 mm .Wire type is same

as the mesh wire type. This is used to
Lacing and bracing wire
perform all the wiring operations to be
carried out in the construction of Gabion
wall.

Table 02- Description of materials

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9. a ) WORK SEQUENCE (For GW 1)
Excavation of the existing ground

Setting out the edges of the Gabion wall base.

.

Final leveling and compaction of the existing ground. Earth filling to have
required inclination with horizontal. Laying Geo-textile material.

Assembling Gabions units and placing them as mentioned. Filling with

approved stones.

Cover the vertical embankment side of the Gabion wall with approved Geo textile
material

Back filling with excavated soil. Compaction will be done using a rammer.

Repeat the above process for other stage 2 and stage 3. Using other sizes of
Gabion boxes respectively.

Continuing construction of Gabion wall by extending the length of the wall

Chart 01

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9.b) WORK SEQUENCE (For GW 2)

Clearing and grubbing of the existing ground. Trimming

embankment as required.

Setting out the edges of the Gabion wall base. Excavation for the sub
soil drain. Construction of sub soil drain.

Final leveling and compaction of the existing ground. Earth filling to have
required inclination with horizontal. Laying Geo-textile material.

Assembling Gabions units and placing them as mentioned. Filling with

approved stones.

Cover the vertical embankment side of the Gabion wall with approved Geo textile
material

Lacing of Gabion boxes will be done along all edges (Top, bottom and sides) and
at diaphragm points, to all adjacent boxes.

Back filling with excavated soil. Compaction will be done using a rammer.

Repeat the above process for other stage 2 and stage 3. Using other sizes of
Gabion boxes respectively.

Continuing construction of Gabion wall by extending the length of the wall

Finally, compaction & leveling the top of the embankment to a slope

of 2:1

Chart 2

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