A Gabion 250 mm refers to a gabion basket or mattress with a thickness (depth) of 250 mm (0.25 metres). Gabions are wire mesh cages filled with rock, commonly used in civil engineering, landscaping, erosion control, and retaining structures.

What is a Gabion?

A gabion consists of:

  • Galvanized or PVC-coated steel wire mesh

  • Filled with durable rock or stone

  • Connected to adjacent baskets to form a stable structure

What does "250 mm" mean?

The 250 mm measurement refers to the depth of the gabion.

Typical dimensions might include:

  • 2.0 m × 1.0 m × 0.25 m

  • 1.0 m × 1.0 m × 0.25 m

  • 3.0 m × 2.0 m × 0.25 m

The length and width vary depending on the application, but the depth remains 250 mm.

Common Uses of a 250 mm Gabion

A 250 mm gabion is generally used for:

  • Riverbank and canal erosion protection

  • Slope stabilization

  • Drainage channels

  • Scour protection around bridge piers

  • Coastal protection

  • Landscaping features

  • Gabion mattresses beneath retaining walls

Because it is relatively thin, a 250 mm gabion is usually called a gabion mattress rather than a standard gabion basket.

Advantages

  • Excellent drainage (water passes through freely)

  • Flexible and adapts to ground movement

  • Long service life

  • Environmentally friendly

  • Reduces erosion

  • Low maintenance

  • Can become vegetated over time

Stone Requirements

Typical rock size:

  • 100–150 mm

  • Hard, durable quarry stone

  • Larger than the mesh opening to prevent stones from falling through

Example

A gabion mattress measuring 2.0 m × 1.0 m × 0.25 m has a volume of:

2.0 × 1.0 × 0.25 = 0.50 m³

If rock has a bulk density of approximately 1.7–1.9 tonnes/m³, it will require about:

0.85–0.95 tonnes of rock

Standard Gabion Thicknesses

TypeTypical DepthCommon Use
Gabion Mattress150 mmLight erosion protection
Gabion Mattress250 mmRiverbanks, channels, slopes
Gabion Basket500 mmRetaining walls
Gabion Basket1000 mmHeavy retaining walls and embankments

In summary, a Gabion 250 mm is a 250 mm-deep wire mesh stone-filled unit, most commonly used as a gabion mattress for erosion control, slope protection, and hydraulic engineering applications rather than as a high retaining wall.

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