Surface Drainage Works

Protection of Culverts and Low-level Crossings

African
Gabions
Environmental Solutions

1 2
3 4
In tro d u ctio n
Structures built from double twist hexagonal wire mesh gabions and
Reno mattresses are a valid and effective technical solution in the
design and maintenance of culverts and low-level river crossings.
(See tables for specifications).
In inlet works it is necessary to guide the flows into the culvert, thus
avoiding dangerous uncontained flows.
Furthermore, in restoration work one should be aware of erosion of
river beds and banks, which may undermine the structure.
In the case of deeply cut watercourses it is advisable to create structures
capable of both containment and support.
When the river bed is not well defined it is good practice to extend the
wing walls of the culverts to protect the flanks.
At low-level river crossings, where the water flows directly over the
roadway, protection is needed both upstream and downstream to
prevent erosion which would immediately affect the roadway itself and
render it unusable.
Structures made from gabions and Reno mattresses poses many technical
and economic advantages over other possible systems, such as rip rap,
cement or concrete.

PROPERTIES OF WIRE
These advantages include:
Diameter mm 2.2 2.5 2.7 3.0 3.4 3.9 4.4
Tolerance mm ±0.08 ±0.08 ±0.08 ±0.1 ±0.1 ±0.1 ±0.1 • simplicity and ease of installation even on sites with difficult access;
Zinc Coating g/m2 245 260 275 275 275 290 290 • ease of finding suitable fill materials locally;
PROPERTIES OF MESH
• ease of construction even in arid locations;
b Nominal External Wire Diameter (mm)
Mesh Tolerance • unskilled labour can be used;
(mm) Mesh
Type (%)
Galv. PVC • flexibility;
60 60 -2 +5 2.2 3.2 • reduction of the thickness of filter layers;
80 80 -2 +5 2.7 3.7
MESH TOLERANCE • ease of maintenance.
b The tolerance on the opening of mesh “b” being the distance between
the axis of two consecutive twists according to SANS 1580:2001,
EN 10223-3, EN 10218-2, ASTM A975. The following types will be discussed:
Tolerances and dimensions of the double twist mesh and PVC coated wire are covered by the - Circular culverts.
local and international specifications which may differ from country to country.
LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL SPECIFICATIONS - Polycentric and pipe arch culverts.
South Africa European American - Reinforced concrete box culverts.
Wire Specifications SANS 675:1993 EN 10223-3 ASTM A975 - Low-level river crossings (sometimes termed Irish crossings,
ASTM A975
Zinc Coating SANS 675:1993 EN 10244-2 fords or causeways).
ASTM A641
PVC Coating SANS 1580:2001 EN 10245-2 ASTM A975
EN 10223-3
Mesh Specifications SANS 1580:2001 ASTM A975
EN 10218-2
5 A
A Without restriction of the section. A Sem restrição da seção.
B With restriction of the section. B Com restrição da seção. a
1 Culvert. 1 Bueiro.
2 Water course section. 2 Seção do curso d’ádua.
a Absence of lateral scour. a Ausência de atrito lateral.
b Lateral scour. b Atrito lateral.
c Scour at the end of wing walls. c Atrito ao final das alas.
d, e Correct solution. d,e Solução correta.

A Sans rétrécissement de section.

B Avec rétrécissement de section.
1 Buse.
From: 1
2 Section courante.
Handbook of steel drainage
and highway products. a Absence d’érosion latérale.
(American Iron and Steel Drainage) b Erosions latérales. 2
c Erosions à l’extrémité des murs d’aile.
d, e Solution optimale.

1. Circular culvert.
2. Polycentric and pipe arch culvert.
3. Reinforced concrete box culvert.
4. Low-level river crossing.
2 5. Influence of wing walls at the outlet section.
I nt r odu ç ã o
Estruturas construídas com gabiões e colchões Reno em malha
hexagonal de dupla torção, são uma solução técnica válida e
efetiva para projetos e manutenção de bueiros e passagens
molhadas. (Ver tabela normas)
Em algumas obras é necessário direcionar a água para o bueiro
e v i t a n d o d a n o s g e ra d o s p o r f l u x o s n ã o c o n t r o l a d o s.
Além disso, em obras de restauração deve-se estar atento às
erosões do leito do rio e margens, que podem solapar a estrutura.
No caso de obras que alterem drasticamente o curso d'água é
aconselhável o uso de estruturas que desenvolvam várias funções,
tais como: contenção, controle de erosão, revestimento, etc.
Quando o leito do rio não é bem definido costuma-se prolongar
as alas dos bueiros para proteger as margens.
Para uma passagem molhada, na qual a água flui diretamente
sobre a rodovia, se faz necessário proteções a montante e a
jusante para prevenir eventuais erosões que afetariam a própria
estrada, inutilizando-a.
Estruturas feitas com gabiões e colchões Reno possuem muitas
vantagens técnicas e econômicas se comparadas a outros sistemas
construtivos, tais como rip-rap, ou concreto.
Estas vantagens incluem:
• simplicidade de instalação e construção, até mesmo em locais
de difícil acesso;
• possibilidade da utilização de materiais locais para enchimento;
• não exige mão de obra qualificada;
• flexibilidade;
• redução da espessura das camadas de filtração;
• fácil manutenção.
Os tipos seguintes serão discutidos:
- Bueiro circulares.
- Bueiros policêntricos.
- B u e i r o s r e t a n g u l a r e s e m c o n c r e t o a r m a d o.
- Passagens molhadas.
b c
1 1
1
2 2
In tro d u ctio n
Les structures en gabions et matelas Reno fabriquée de grillage à maille
hexagonale double torsion, représentent une solution correcte et efficace
pour le calcul et l’entretien des buses et des traversées inondables. (Voir
table pour les specifications).
Dans les ouvrages d’embouchure, il faut canaliser de façon sûre dans des
buses les débits d’eau qui arrivent, afin d’éviter de dangereux
contournements des ouvrages.
Par ailleurs, dans les restitutions, il faut se méfier de l’érosion sur le fond
du lit et sur les berges qui, en régressant, risquent de constituer un danger
pour les structures.
Dans le cas des cours d’eau particulièrement encaissés, on conseille des
structures capables d’offrir aussi bien une action de retenue et de
soutènement.
Lorsque le lit d’un cours d’eau n’est pas déterminé de façon certaine, il
faut prolonger latéralement la protection le long du pied du remblai,
jusqu’aux conduits souterrains, pour éviter un écoulement incontrôlé le
long du remblai.
Dans les traversées inondables, enfin, où l’eau passe directement sur la
chaussée, il est nécessaire d’avoir des protections en amont et en aval du
plan de la route, pour empêcher l’érosion qui s’attaquerait immédiatement
à l’assise de la route même et la rendrait impraticable.
Les ouvrages en gabions et matelas Reno démontrent une série d’avantages
techniques et économiques par rapport à d’autres systèmes d’enrochement,
perré maçonné ou ouvrages en béton préfabriqué.
Ces avantages sont:
• facilité de trouver sur site un matériau de remplissage adéquat;
• facilité de réalisation, même dans les environnements arides;
• utilisation de main d’oeuvre non spécialisée;
• flexibilité;
• réduction de l’épaisseur des couches filtrantes;
• possibilité d’effectuer un entretien simple.
On examinera les types d’ouvrages suivants:
- Buses circulaires;
- Buses à plusieurs centres;
- Buses emboitées en béton armé;
- Traversées inondables.
d e
1
2 2
3
 Circ ula r Culve rts

Circular culverts with Bueiros circulares com Buses circulaires avec

D < 1.0m D < 1.0m D < 1.0m

Variable
4 3
1.0m 1.0m Longitudinal section
0.5m

1.0m
D
0.23-0.3m

1.0m 2.0m 1.0m 1 2 1.0m 2.0m 1.0m 5

L
4.0m L > 2.5-3 D

4
Inlet

3
2.0m
Outlet

4.0m

1.0m
2.0m

4.0m

2.0m
6

Culverts in braided river beds Bueiros em confluência de Buses circulaires pour

leitos de rio lits peu profonds

Outlet

0.5m
1.0m
0m
1.

0.23-0.3m
0m
0m

2.
6.

1. Pipeline. 1. Oleoduto. 1. Buse.

2. Base layer. 2. Camada de base. 2. Couche de base.
3. Gabion and mattress protection. 3. Proteção em gabião e colchão. 3. Protection en gabion et matelas.
4. Gabion key. 4. Gabião chave. 4. Gabion d’ancrage.
5. AG Geotextile. 5. AG Geotêxtil. 5. AG Géotextile.

4
 Bu e i r o s Cir cular es Buses Circulair e s

Circular culverts with Bueiros circulares com Buses circulaires avec

D >1.0m D >1.0m D > 1.0m

Longitudinal section
3 Variable 4
A B
Variable

3.0m

D 1.0m

0.23-0.3m
1.0m
A B
1 2 L 5
3.0m 1.0m 1.0m L > 2.5-3 D

3
Section A-A

1.0m Variable 1.0m 1.0m

2.0m Variable 2.0m

Section B-B

1.0m

1.0m 5

0.23-0.3m

Variable 1.0m

2.0m Variable 2.0m

8

Circular culverts with drop Bueiros circulares com saída Buses circulaires avec des
structures at the outlet section em degraus. escaliers à la restitution

3 Variable 6
Longitudinal section
Variable
4
1.0m
D
1.0m

1.0m
0.23-0.3m
1 2 5

1.0m 3.0m 1.0m 3.0m 2.0m 3.0m 3.0-5.0m

1. Pipeline. 1. Oleoduto. 1. Buse.

2. Base layer. 2. Camada de base. 2. Couche de base.
3. Gabion key. 3. Gabião chave. 3. Gabion d’ancrage.
4. Gabion protection. 4. Proteção em gabião. 4. Défense en gabions.
5. AG Geotextile. 5. AG Geotêxtil. 5. AG Géotextile.
6. Concrete capping. 6. Revestimento em concreto. 6. Couverture en béton.
5
 10 11

12 13

14 15

10. Whale Rock, W. Cape, South Africa. 13. Brazil.

11. Sabi River Sun, Mpumalanga, South Africa. 14. Whale Rock, W. Cape, South Africa.
12. Pretoria, South Africa. 15. USA.
6
11
16 17

1 2 3 4 5
18

4.0m

2.0m 10.0m 2.0m

14.0m

1. Gabion structure. 1. Estrutura em gabiões. 1. Structure en gabions.

2. Woven mesh/geogrid reinforcement. 2. Reforço em malha hexagonal 2. Géotextile tissé/
3. AG Geotextile. ou geogrelha tecida. géogrille de renfort.
4. Compacted earth back-filling. 3. AG Geotêxtil. 3. AG Géotextile.
5. Crushed stone. 4. Reaterro com solo compactado. 4. Remblai compacté.
5. Pedra britada. 5. Pierraille.

19 20

16. Lesotho.
17. Aliano, Matera, Italy.
18. Culvert through mechanically stabilised earth.
19 & 20. South Australia. 7
 Polycentric and Pipe
Arch Culverts
Single polycentric culvert with head retaining wall

Longitudinal section Variable

3

Variable A

6
D

0.23-0.3m
4 8 1 2 8 A 4
1.0m 3.0m 2.0m 2.0m
L
6.0m L > 2.5-3 D
21

Single polycentric culvert with drop structure

Longitudinal section
6 Variable 3 7 9

Variable A
0.23-0.3m

0.23-0.3m
1.0m

4 8 1 2 8 0.5m
1.0m 3.0m A

6.0m 2.0m 2.0m 2.0m 2.0m 4.0m 4.0m

22

Multiple polycentric culvert with sloping head wall

Longitudinal section
Variable
4

A Variable

6
D

1.0-1.5m
A
a 8 1 2 8
4.0m 2.0m 2.0m
L
6.0m L > 2.5-3 D
5

23

1. Pipeline.
0.23-0.3m 2. Base layer.
1.0m 3. Head wall.
4. Reno mattress lining.
5. River bed key-in (a, b solutions).
b
6. Upstream gabion key-in at banks.
7. Key-in of drop structure.
2.0m
8 8. AG Geotextile.
9. Concrete capping.
Bue i ro Policênt r ico Buses à P lusie u r s
com e Tubo em Arco Centre s
Bueiro policêntrico com encabeçamento Buse à plusieurs centres avec des murs de soutènement
de muros de contenção

Section A-A

1
D
1.5-2
0.23-0.3m

2.0m Variable 2.0m

Bueiro policêntrico com estrutura em degraus. Buse à plusieurs centres avec des ouvrages en gradins
Section A-A

8
3 D

0.23-0.3m
7 m
1 6.0

1.5-2
0.5m
9 Variable
m
3.0
3.0m 6.0m

Bueiro policêntrico múltiplo com Buse à plusieurs centres multiple avec revêtement de talus
encabeçamento em taludes revestidos.

Section A-A

6
D

1
1.0m
1.5-2

8 0.23-0.3m

Variable 2.0m Variable

1. Oleoduto. 1. Buse.
2. Camada de base. 2. Couche de base.
3. Muro de encabeçamento. 3. Mur de soutènement.
4. Canalização em colchão Reno. 4. Revêtement en matelas Reno.
5. Leito de rio chave (a,b soluçãos). 5. Ancrage du lit du cours d’eau (solution a, b).
6. Margens a montante em gabião chave. 6. Ancrage des gabions en amont sur les berges.
7. Chave em estrutura em degraus. 7. Ancrage avec des ouvrages en gradins.
8. AG Geotêxtil. 8. AG Géotextile. 9
9. Revestimento em concreto. 9. Couverture en béton.
 24

25

24 & 25. La Lucia, KZN, South Africa.

26. Luanshya, Zambia.
27. Canada.
10 28. Swaziland.
 26

27

28

11
 Reinforced Concrete
Box Culve rts
Single box culverts in Bueiro retangular em Buses emboitées simples
braided river beds confluência de leito de rio. pour lits peu profonds

3 Variable
1.5-2
1
Longitudinal section Variable

4
D

0.23-0.3m
0.23-0.3m

5 1 2 5
1.0m
1.0m L
3.0m L > 2.5-3 D

Inlet
3
Outlet
4

m
4.0

5 5 ia ble
Var
2.0 2.0
m m
m
3.0 3.0
m 4.0
m
2.0
L m
29

Box culverts with drop structures Bueiro retangular com Buses emboitées avec
at the outlet section saída em degraus. des ouvrages en gradins

Section B-B A 1 4

1.0m

1.0m

1.0m
Longitudinal section 3 0.5m
Variable
5
1.5-2 2.0m A 4.0m 2.0m
1 8
B 4

D
0.23-0.3m

5 1 2 B
1.0m 4.0m 1.0m 2.0m
0.23-0.3m

3.0m 1.0m 3 5
30 6.0m

1. Box culvert in reinforced concrete.

2. Reinforced concrete cut-off.
3. Reno mattress lining.
4. Gabion protection.
5. AG Geotextile.
6. Gabion key-in at bank.
7. Reno mattress or gabion apron (0.23-0.3m).
12 8. Concrete capping.
 Bue i ro Ret angula r em Buses Emboitées
Conc re to A r m ado. en Béton Armé
Outlet section in mobile river beds
Saída de bueiro com leito não revestido
7
Restitution pour des lits non définis

m
1.0

m
2.0

m
4.0
le
Va riab
m
2.0
L 4 .0m

Outlet transition to the natural trapezoidal stream section

Transição de saída para a seção trapezoidal natural
Restitution avec raccordement à la section trapezoïdale courante
7

e 6
iabl
Var

2.0 m
m 1.0

6
ia ble
Var

Outlet transition to the natural stream

Transição de saída para o fluxo natural
Restitution avec raccordement à la section courante
7

L
2.0
m m
1.0
6 m
4.0

iable
Var
m
4.0
31

1. Bueiro retangular em concreto armado. 1. Emboîtement en béton armé.

2 Barreira em concreto armado. 2. Talon en béton armé.
3. Canalização em colchão Reno. 3. Revêtement en matelas Reno.
4. Proteção em gabião. 4. Protection en gabions.
5. AG Geotêxtil. 5. AG Geotextile.
6. Gabião chave na margem. 6. Ancrage des gabions sur la berge.
7. Apron em colchão Reno ou gabião (0.23-0.3m). 7. Renforcement en matelas Reno ou gabions (0.23-0.3m).
8. Revestimento em concreto. 8. Couverture en béton. 13
 32

33

34

32. W. Cape, South Africa.

33. W. Cape, South Africa.
34. Dedza, Malawi.
14
18
 35

36

37

35. Mississippi, USA.

36. Minnesota, USA.
37. Outeniqua Pass, W. Cape, South Africa.
15
 Low-Leve l River
Crossings
Typical scheme Esquema típico Schéma type
Plan
5 A
3

3.0-4.0m
Road

Variable
6.0-8.0m
3 A
5

Section A-A 5 1 5

0.23 - 0.3m 3 2 4 3 8 0.23 - 0.3m

3.0 - 4.0m Variable 6.0 - 8.0m

38

Alternative solution with Solução alternativa com Alternative avec des

a gabion curb gabião freio rangées en gabions

5 6 1 6 5

4 8
2
0.23 - 0.3m 0.23 - 0.3m

3.0 - 4.0m 1.0m Variable 1.0m 6.0 - 8.0m

39

Reno mattress or gabion Colchão Reno ou fundação em Matelas Reno en fondation ou

foundation for yielding soils gabião para solos deformáveis gabions pour des terrains meubles

5 1 2 6 5

7
0.23 - 0.3m 0.23 - 0.3m
0.15 - 0.5m 8

3.0 - 4.0m 1.0m Variable 1.0m 6.0 - 8.0m

40

1. Road paving. 7. Impermeable membrane. 1. Estrada pavimentada.

2. Sub-base. 8. AG Geotextile. 2. Base granular.
3. Concrete cut-off. 9. Concrete capping. 3. Barreira em concreto.
4. Drainage hardcore. 10. Pipeline. 4. Núcleo drenante.
5. Mattress protection. 11. Dry granular material. 5. Proteção em colchão.
6. Gabion curb. 12. Gabion retaining structure. 6. Gabião freio.
16
 Irish Bue iros Tra versée s
C ros si ngs circ ula res Inondab l e s
Crossing with a drop structure Passagem molhada com Traversée avec ressauts
estrutura em degraus.

5 1 9 5

2 8
0.23 - 0.3m
0.23 - 0.3m
3.0 - 4.0m 1.0m Variable 1.0m 6.0 - 8.0m

41

Culvert crossing with small Passagem molhada com descargas Traversée avec buse pour
discharges (causeway) pequenas (calçada). des faibles débits

Longitudinal section

12 10
% Variable Max level B

0.23-0.3m
B
8
Variable

Section B-B

1 11 12

1.0m
5

1.0m

0.23 - 0.3m 0.23 - 0.3m

10 8

3.0 - 4.0m 2.0m Variable 2.0m 4.0 - 6.0m

42

7. Membrana impermeável. 1. Dallage. 7. Géomembrane imperméable.

8. AG Geotêxtil. 2. Couche de transition. 8. AG Geotextile.
9. Revestimento em concreto. 3. Talon en béton armé. 9. Couverture en béton.
10. Oleoduto. 4. Structure filtrante. 10. Buse.
11. Material granular seco. 5. Protection en matelas. 11. Matériau graveleux.
12. Estrutura de contenção em gabião. 6. Rangées en gabion. 12. Structure de rétention en gabions.
17
 43

44

45

43 & 44. Richmond, KZN, South Africa.

45. Italy.

18
 46

47

48 49

46. Paarl, W. Cape, South Africa.

47. Chapananga, Malawi
48 & 49. Papua, New Guinea.
19
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P O Box 40494, Kanengo, Lilongwe 4, Malawi Tel/Fax: +265-1-756 109 E-mail: maccaferri@malawi.net
MADAGASCAR:
BP 168, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar Tel: +261-20-22-231 02 Fax: +261-20-22-553 90 E-mail: africangabions@wanadoo.mg
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