Gabion Baskets
Geosynthetics Africa supplies Class A Galvanised and PVC coated hexagonal woven mesh gabion baskets, river mattresses, and square weldmesh gabions for retaining walls, river training, channel lining, embankment protection, mine structures, and architectural applications across Southern and East Africa. Manufactured to SANS 675 specification in South Africa. Full range of standard sizes in stock. Supply only or supply and install. Geotextile separation layers and installation accessories supplied with every order.
| About Gabion Baskets
Gabion baskets are double-twisted hexagonal woven wire mesh structures filled with rock on site to form flexible, permeable, self-draining retaining and erosion control structures. The double-twist wire connection is the defining characteristic of woven gabion mesh - where welded mesh would fracture and open under load or movement, the double-twist joint deforms without breaking, maintaining structural continuity of the basket under settlement, vibration, and hydraulic loading. Gabion structures have been used in civil engineering for over 140 years and remain the most cost-effective solution for gravity retaining walls, river training structures, and channel lining where rock is available locally.
Geosynthetics Africa gabion baskets are manufactured from Class A Galvanised mild tensile steel wire to SANS 675 specification, with hexagonal woven mesh aperture of 80 x 100mm, mesh wire diameter of 2.7mm, and salvage wire diameter of 3.4mm. PVC coated gabions add a 0.5mm grey PVC coating over the Class A galvanised wire core for enhanced corrosion resistance in aggressive, marine, and high-moisture environments. River mattresses are manufactured with a finer 60 x 80mm mesh aperture and 2.2mm wire diameter for flexibility over irregular bed profiles, with salvage wire of 3.4mm diameter. All wire is mild tensile steel with tensile strength of 350-575 MPa.
Square weldmesh gabion baskets are available as an alternative to hexagonal woven mesh for architectural, landscaping, boundary wall, and feature wall applications where a clean square grid aesthetic is required. Square weldmesh is supplied with 50 x 50mm aperture and 3.0mm Class A Galvanised wire diameter. Weldmesh is also available in roll and flat panel form for custom site-fabricated applications. For civil and hydraulic engineering applications requiring flexibility, the hexagonal woven mesh system is specified - for architectural and structural applications where rigidity is acceptable, weldmesh provides a cleaner finish
Geosynthetics Africa supplies gabion baskets as part of an integrated erosion control and retaining system - combining gabion structures with non-woven geotextile separation layers behind and beneath the basket to prevent fines migration from the retained soil into the rock fill, and with SoilLock erosion blankets over the embankment face above the gabion structure to protect the vegetated slope during establishment. This integrated supply capability - gabions, geotextile, and erosion blanket from a single supplier - reduces procurement complexity and ensures material compatibility on site.
| Common Applications and Engineering Use Cases
Designed Retaining Walls
Designed retaining walls, reinforced slopes and earth-retention systems. Select the exact product grade and installation detail through the approved project design.
Read MoreRiverbank & Slope Protection
Erosion protection for slopes, embankments and drainage channels. Select the exact product grade and installation detail through the approved project design.
Read MoreRoadside Retaining Structures
Designed retaining walls, reinforced slopes and earth-retention systems. Select the exact product grade and installation detail through the approved project design.
Read More| Properties & Specifications
| Property | Test Method | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Wire material | - | Mild tensile steel |
| Tensile strength | - | 350-575 MPa |
| Galvanising standard | SANS 675 | Class A |
| Gabion mesh aperture | - | 80 x 100mm hexagonal |
| Gabion mesh wire diameter | - | 2.7mm |
| Mattress mesh aperture | - | 60 x 80mm hexagonal |
| Mattress mesh wire diameter | - | 2.2mm |
| Salvage wire diameter | - | 3.4mm (all products) |
| Binding wire diameter | - | 2.2mm (galvanised or PVC coated) |
| PVC coating thickness | - | 0.5mm grey PVC over galvanised core |
| Weldmesh aperture | - | 50 x 50mm |
| Weldmesh wire diameter | - | 3.14mm Class A Galvanised |
| Connection method | - | Double-twist hexagonal woven or welded |
| Standard gabion sizes (L x W x H m) | - | 1x1x0.5 - 1x1x1 - 2x1x0.5 - 2x1x1 - 3x1x0.5 - 3x1x1 - 4x1x0.5 - 4x1x1 - 1.5x1x1 |
| Standard mattress sizes (L x W x H m) | - | 2x1x0.3 - 3x1x0.3 - 4x1x0.3 - 6x2x0.17 - 6x2x0.23 - 6x2x0.30 |
| Types of Gabion Baskets
Galvanised Woven Gabion Baskets - Civil & Mining Applications
Class A Galvanised hexagonal woven double-twist mesh gabion baskets for retaining walls, river training structures, channel lining, mine primary crush tip walls, bridge abutment protection, and dam embankment protection. Mesh aperture 80 x 100mm, mesh wire 2.7mm diameter, salvage wire 3.4mm, binding wire 2.2mm. Tensile strength 350-575 MPa to SANS 675. Standard sizes from 1x1x0.5m to 4x1x1m. Design life 25-50 years in non-corrosive environments. The standard specification for civil and mining gabion structures across southern Africa.
PVC Coated Woven Gabion Baskets - Corrosive & Marine Environments
PVC coated hexagonal woven double-twist mesh gabion baskets for river training, coastal protection, marine structures, irrigation canals, and aggressive chemical environments where standard galvanised wire would corrode prematurely. 0.5mm grey PVC coating applied over Class A Galvanised wire core - providing dual corrosion protection. Mesh aperture 80 x 100mm, mesh wire 2.7mm, salvage wire 3.4mm. Same standard sizes as galvanised range. Specified where the structure is permanently submerged, exposed to saltwater, or in contact with chemically aggressive soils or effluent.
Galvanised & PVC Coated River Mattresses - Reno Mattresses
Flat, shallow gabion mattresses for riverbed scour protection, channel bed lining, bank revetment, dam face protection, and spillway aprons. Manufactured from hexagonal woven mesh with finer 60 x 80mm aperture and 2.2mm wire diameter for maximum flexibility over irregular bed profiles. Salvage wire 3.4mm. Available in Class A Galvanised or 0.5mm PVC coated. Standard mattress sizes from 2x1x0.3m to 6x2x0.30m. For more aggressive or corrosive river environments, the 80 x 100mm aperture with 2.7mm wire diameter mattress is available on request.
Square Weldmesh Gabion Baskets - Architectural & Landscaping
Square weldmesh gabion baskets for architectural feature walls, boundary walls, landscaping terraces, garden gabions, and commercial feature applications where a clean square grid aesthetic is required. Mesh aperture 50 x 50mm, wire diameter 3.0mm, Class A Galvanised. Also available in roll form (2.1m x 30m) and flat panel form for custom site-fabricated dimensions. Can be filled with rock, glass bottles, timber, building rubble, or locally available stone. For soil-filled architectural gabions, line internally with Coir SoilLock erosion blanket to prevent fines loss through the mesh.
Double-Twist Hexagonal Mesh - Flexible Under Load - One Wire Breaks, the Structure Holds
The double-twist connection between each wire in hexagonal woven gabion mesh is the system's defining structural advantage. Where a welded connection fractures under load, settlement, or vibration, the double-twist joint deforms without opening. A single broken wire in a woven gabion basket does not compromise the structure - the double-twist connection on either side holds. This flexibility and redundancy make woven gabion structures the correct specification for river training, dam protection, and any application subject to dynamic loading or differential settlement.
| Benefits of using Gabion Baskets
Class A Galvanised to SANS 675 - 25 to 50 Year Design Life in Standard Environments
All Geosynthetics Africa gabion wire is mild tensile steel Class A Galvanised to SANS 675, with tensile strength of 350-575 MPa. In standard non-corrosive environments, correctly installed rock-filled gabion structures have a design life of 25 to 50 years. For corrosive, marine, or permanently submerged environments, PVC coated gabions with 0.5mm grey PVC over the galvanised wire core extend service life significantly beyond the galvanised-only specification.
Permeable and Self-Draining - Eliminates Hydrostatic Pressure - No Weep Holes Required
Gabion structures are inherently permeable - water passes freely through the rock fill and wire mesh, eliminating the hydrostatic pressure buildup that causes conventional concrete retaining walls to fail. No weep holes, drainage blankets, or special drainage details are required. In river and channel applications, the permeable structure allows groundwater to equalise with surface water levels, preventing uplift and undermining of the structure base. This self-draining characteristic makes gabions the correct specification for structures subject to fluctuating water levels and flooding.
Use Local Rock - Dramatically Reduces Material Cost on Remote African Sites
Gabion baskets are filled with locally available rock on site - eliminating the need to import engineered fill material over long distances. On remote mining, rural infrastructure, and river training projects across Africa where transport cost dominates the project budget, the ability to fill gabions with local quarry rock or river stone reduces total installed cost dramatically versus concrete retaining walls or imported fill solutions. Geosynthetics Africa can supply the gabion basket system to site with rock sourced and delivered separately.
Integrated Supply - Gabions - Geotextile - Erosion Blanket - One Supplier
Geosynthetics Africa supplies the complete gabion retaining and erosion control system from a single source - gabion baskets and mattresses, non-woven geotextile separation layer behind and beneath the structure, and SoilLock erosion blankets over the embankment face above the gabion wall. No separate geotextile supplier. No compatibility questions. No split accountability between materials on site. This integrated supply capability is a direct commercial and technical advantage on projects where the full erosion control system is specified.
Labour Intensive Installation - Ideal for African Infrastructure Projects
Gabion basket installation requires no specialist plant or equipment - baskets are assembled and filled by hand using standard site labour. This makes gabions particularly well suited to labour-intensive project delivery models across Africa, where maximising local employment content is a project requirement or community obligation. Geosynthetics Africa provides installation support, on-site training, and technical guidance for contractors and community installation teams on request.
| Frequently Asked Questions about Gabion Baskets
What is the difference between galvanised and PVC coated gabions and when do I specify each?
What is the difference between gabion baskets and river mattresses?
What rock size should be used to fill gabion baskets?
Do I need a geotextile behind my gabion retaining wall?
When should I use weldmesh gabions versus woven hexagonal mesh gabions?
What standard gabion sizes are available and can custom sizes be ordered?
| Specifications for Installing Gabion Baskets
Gabion basket installation requires no specialist plant or equipment. The critical requirements are correct geotextile placement before basket assembly, correct basket assembly and lacing, adequate rock infill size and density, and correct lacing and connection between adjacent baskets. Incorrectly laced connections between baskets are the primary cause of gabion structure failure - correct lacing technique must be demonstrated to installation teams before work begins.
1. Subgrade Preparation and Geotextile - Excavate and compact the foundation to the specified level. Place the non-woven geotextile separation layer over the foundation and up the back face of the gabion structure before basket placement. Overlap geotextile lengths by a minimum of 300mm. The geotextile must be continuous behind and beneath the full gabion structure - gaps in the geotextile are the most common cause of fines migration and long-term structural deterioration.
2. Basket Assembly - Unfold gabion baskets flat and erect by folding up the four sides and two ends to form the box. Lace all vertical edges of adjacent panels together using 2.2mm binding wire with a continuous lacing stitch at maximum 150mm centres - alternating between single and double loops. Correct lacing technique is critical - a single loop only at each connection is insufficient. Place assembled empty baskets in position and lace horizontally adjacent baskets together before filling.
3. Diaphragm Panels - For baskets longer than 1.5m, install internal diaphragm panels at 1.0m centres to prevent bulging of the basket face during and after filling. Diaphragm panels are laced to the base and front face of the basket before filling begins. Failure to install diaphragms in long baskets causes characteristic face bulging that reduces the effective gravity mass of the structure.
4. Rock Filling - Fill baskets with rock in three layers, hand-placing the outer face stones to achieve a tight, even face appearance and maximise fill density. Machine filling of the interior is acceptable once the outer face layer is established. Do not overfill - the rock surface should be level with or slightly below the top of the basket to allow the lid to close flat. Compact each layer before placing the next to minimise post-construction settlement.
5. Lid Closing and Lacing - Fold the wire mesh lid down onto the filled basket and lace to all four sides and to adjacent basket lids using 2.2mm binding wire at maximum 150mm centres. The lid lacing completes the structural connection between the top of the basket and the course above - inadequate lid lacing allows the top course to separate from the structure under lateral load. For river mattresses, close and lace lids in the same manner before placement in the waterway.
| Benefits of Choosing Our Products
- Double-Twist Hexagonal Woven Mesh - Class A Galvanised to SANS 675 · tensile strength 350-575 MPa · one broken wire does not open the structure
- PVC Coated Option - 0.5mm grey PVC over galvanised core · dual corrosion protection · specified for marine · submerged · and acid mine drainage environments
- Permeable and Self-Draining - no hydrostatic pressure buildup · no weep holes required · equalises with flood water levels · prevents uplift and undermining
- Use Local Rock - fill with on-site quarry rock or river stone · eliminates imported fill cost · dramatically reduces total installed cost on remote African projects
- Full Size Range in Stock - gabion baskets 1x1x0.5m to 4x1x1m · river mattresses 2x1x0.3m to 6x2x0.30m · standard and PVC coated
- Integrated Supply - gabion baskets · geotextile separation layer · SoilLock erosion blanket · one supplier · one order · full system compatibility
- Labour Intensive Installation - no specialist plant required · unskilled labour with supervision · ideal for community and rural infrastructure projects across Africa
| Projects with Gabion Baskets Across Africa
| Popular Gabion Baskets in our Catalogue
A curated selection of best-selling gabion baskets. View full specs, request a quote, or add to your BOQ — without leaving this page.
Galvanised Woven Gabion Baskets
Class A galvanised hexagonal woven double-twist gabion baskets, mild tensile steel to SANS 675. 80x100mm aperture, 2.7mm mesh wire, 3.4mm selvedge wire, 350–575 MPa tensile. Standard sizes from 1x1x0.5m to 4x1x1m, supplied flat-packed with binding wire. For mass gravity retaining walls, river training, dam embankment protection, mine containment and channel lining.
Square Weldmesh Gabion Baskets
Class A galvanised square welded mesh gabion baskets, manufactured in South Africa to SANS 462:2005 and SANS 675. Supplied as flat-packed assembled baskets, flat panels or mesh rolls, in 50x50mm, 50x100mm and 75x75mm apertures. Standard sizes from 0.5m cube to 3x1x1m, plus custom dimensions. For architectural feature walls, boundary walls, garden terracing, gabion pillars and sound barriers.
| Industries that use Gabion Baskets
| Specsheets & Installation Guides
Download technical datasheets and step-by-step installation guides for Gabion Baskets.
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