Gabions as coastal defense

Client

Durban

Year

2022

Location

Durban, South Africa

Storms carry a ton of power and destroy the shore with each storm. Storms damage the beach and structures along the coastline and leave houses, hotels, and other buildings dangling over a ridge formed by the incoming storms. With increases of storms and more severe storms coming in the future and combining this with sea-level rise due to climate change. Durban is obligated to create a possible solution that creates a safer environment for people living along the coast. Otherwise, the entire coastline would be at risk of floods. By implementing gabions the right way, these houses can be protected.

Adding Gabions

Gabions are one of many building elements. They are cellular structures, cages made from zinc-coated steel wire mesh filled with stones. Individual units of gabions can be stacked, pared, and tied to each other with more wire to form one whole. Gabions have different purposes for example landscaping; gardening; and wind protection. For this research, the most significant usage is erosion control and water management. Gabions are used for fortifying banks, edges, and hillsides, such as dunes and dikes. This is since gabions can hold on to sediment but allow water to pass through the system. Gabions come in different shapes and sizes and distinct coating materials. The most suitable forms are the gabion basket, gabion sack, and gabion mattress. All three types are constructed from mesh wire filled with rocks and stones.

For more information about the gabions that we will use, press the download button down below for a professional article or a poster about gabions.

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By using Gabions, not only is the coast protected against heavy waves but also a nature-friendly solution is used. For example, 'Building with Nature' is being applied to the beaches of Durban to protect the houses and buildings behind them. By placing them at an angle along the course of the beach, the gabions are not seen as violent object, because it mixes with the beach. As a result, the beaches maintain their reputation as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world and are also well protected against coastal erosion.

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