LINK - ARMY CORPS of ENGINEERS
http://library.water-resources.us/docs/MMDL/FLD/Feature.cfm?ID=33
CALTAN GABION MESH CORROSION FIELD STUDY http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/oppd/hydrology/gabionmesh.pdfV
LIFE EXPECTANCY OF CLASS III GALVANIZED GABIONS
A GENERAL NOTE ON GALVANIZING:
GALVANIZING PROTECTS THE STEEL GABION WIRE FROM OXIDATION BY FORMING A PROTECTIVE COATING THAT PROLONGS THE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF GABIONS. IT ALSO ACTS AS A SACRIFICIAL ANODE THAT PROTECTS AGAINST RUST EVEN IF THE COATING IS SCRATCHED EXPOSING THE BARE STEEL
100+ YEARS - DESERT, LOW HUMIDITY, DRY RURAL AREAS AND INSIDE BUILDINGS
50+ YEARS - URBAN AREAS WITH LOW HUMIDITY, MODERATE POLLUTION AND FRESH WATER COASTAL AREAS
30+ YEARS - INDUSTRIAL AND COASTAL AREAS WITH 1 MILE DISTANCE FROM OCEAN
15+ YEARS - AREAS OF HIGH HUMIDITY, INDUSTRIAL AND COASTAL AREAS WITHIN 500 YDS OF OCEAN
5 YEARS - AREAS OF EXTREME HUMIDITY, HIGH POLLUTION INDUSTRIAL AND COASTAL WITH CONTACT WITH OCEAN SALT WATER
NOTES:
- GOOD DRAINAGE BEHIND AND BELOW A GABION WALL WILL HELP TO IMPROVE THE STABILITY OF A RETAINING WALL AND PROLONG ITS LIFE
- GALVANIZED AND PVC COATED GABIONS WILL NORMALLY DOUBLE A GABION'S LIFE EXPECTANCY
- GABION LIFE EXPECTANCY WILL BE INCREASED IN AREAS OF ACID OR ALKALINE SOIL CONDITIONS BY USE OF GEOTEXTILE FABRIC PLACED BETWEEN THE BACK FILL SOIL AND THE RETAINING WALL GABIONS
- PVC COATED WIRES PERFORM BETTER THAN BASIC GALVANIZING AND WILL USUALLY DOUBLE THE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF A GABION INSTALLATION
