One of the most effective solutions for controlling erosion is the use of gabion walls. A well-defined structure of retaining walls is constructed by welding a wire cage and mesh baskets filled with rocks, gravel, and cobbles. It essentially stabilizes soil in many coastal areas, slopes, highways, and riverbanks in KSA. It helps in creating a protective wall against floods and river lining.
In this blog, you will explore the 5 powerful reasons as follows for deploying gabion walls for erosion control in Saudi Arabia.
Durability
Gabion walls are one of the most durable and sustainable solutions to control soil erosion in KSA. It has a high resistance against corrosion, supported by the zinc coating on the wire mesh. It also comes in a PVC coating for added resistance. The durability of the walls allows for natural vegetation to grow in abundance, which shields the elements and enhances reinforcement with soil, controlling erosion.
Flexibility
These are highly flexible because of their construction and adaptability to the ground movement. The mesh allows gabion structures to bend and deform without cracking, ideal for spaces with shifting soils. It maintains integrity under pressure and load, settling naturally with the terrain. Highly flexible for seismic zones and riverbank areas.
Cost Effectiveness
Gabion walls are a cost-effective and budget-friendly solution, made up of local stones and recycled materials. It reduces the cost of using expensive materials. Moreover, it doesn't require complex frameworks and deep foundational building like traditional walls. They are easily installable on compact soil, which saves labor and equipment costs. The modular units of the gabion walls can be stacked together on the site without needing heavy machinery, anticipating a budget-friendly erosion control solution.
Robustness
The robustness and strength of a gabion wall come from its mass and friction. It resists the wall's collapse and equally distributes loads, eliminating hydrostatic pressure. Gabion walls perform in wadi protection, coastal defence, and stabilising slopes on the riverbank in Saudi Arabia. Adaptable to extreme heat and UV exposures, gabion walls withstand harsh weather and ensure structural resilience, controlling erosion.
Eco-Conscious Solution
Gabion walls are an eco-conscious solution that seamlessly integrates with nature, promoting biodiversity. It reduces the increasing bio footprints and transportation emissions. One can recycle the concrete rubble and rocks that support a sustainable waste program. The gaps between the mesh allow natural vegetation to grow and settle in the soil. It blends the wall with the landscape, helping to retain soil, filter air, and keep the environment cool.
Why do you need to control erosion in Saudi Arabia?
The intense and harsh climate of Saudi Arabia has strong winds carrying dust and sand that gradually degrade the soil and erode rock surfaces. The reduction in the topsoil impacts agricultural activities and efforts. Moreover, the rainfall may cause flash floods that can wash away embankments, foundations, and roads in cities like Riyadh, Abha, and Jeddah. It firmly stabilises soil and offers erosion-proof infrastructure. If erosion spread is neglected, it can threaten pipelines, retaining structures, highways, and buildings. Highly protective erosion control equipment is necessary to guard wadis, plateaus, and mountainous slopes, maintaining their structural integrity. However, erosion control promotes bio-sustainability, eco-tourism, and protected habitats.
Conclusion
Saudi Arabia is a country of diverse climate experiences and terrain extremes. Gabion walls in such cases are an exceptionally robust, sustainable, and adaptive solution to control erosion. It caters to the wadi flood zone, reinforcements of slopes, protecting desert washout, with its invincible, flexible, and durable nature. Employing gabion walls ensures the prevention of erosion, retention of soil, and agricultural enhancements. It offers impeccable resilience, natural harmony, and long-lasting performance.
Hitech is your trusted gabion partner in KSA, providing high-quality gabions. It is the first step of enhancing your infrastructure, contact us today to know more!