1.

SOLUTION COMPONENTS

1.1 PARAMESH SYSTEM: COMPOSITE REINFORCEMENT SOIL WALL

Composite Soil Reinforcement with flexible (Gabion facia) wall System: Composite soil
reinforcement wall system combines high strength geogrid as primary soil reinforcement and
heavily galvanized Zn + high abrasion resistance polymer coated mechanically woven steel
wire mesh panels as secondary reinforcement. The Gabion fascia with secondary
reinforcement is monolithic with 100% connection strength and ready to use at site refer
Figure 1. Structure consisting of an external face, continued as a double twist mesh panel,
both Zn + High abrasion resistance polymer coated. They can be built at a batter angle of
6º. They are specially designed for sites and situations where it is necessary to reconstitute
the soil mass.

These structures demand special care with installation, mainly with respect to the foundation
and with settlement of embankment across to the face, and they are especially suitable for
works with large embankment movements.

Figure 1: Reinforced soil with Gabion facia and Integrated Tail

1.1.1 Gabion Facia with Integrated Tail Mesh

Gabion facia unit is fabricated from soft tensile, heavily galvanized Zn+ High Abrasion
resistance Polymer coated double twisted steel wire mesh refer Figure 2. The wire mesh
used to manufacture the unit has mechanical characteristics higher than the ones suggested
from IS16014:2018. Facing unit is having integrated tail mesh which acts as a secondary
reinforcement. The abrasion resistance test shall confirmto ASTM A -975.

The facing section of the unit is formed by connecting the back panel and diaphragm to the
main unit. This creates rectangular shaped cells used for stone confinement.

The tolerance on the nominal

opening of mesh ‘D’ being the
distance between the axis of the two
consecutive twists is according to IS:
16014-2018

Figure 2: Gabion Facia Unit

1.1.2 Reinforcing Element – High strength Geogrid

High strength Geogrids is a planar structure consisting of a monoaxial arrangementof

composite Geosynthetic strips, refer Figure 3. Each strip shall have width that varies
between 82mm to 91mm and a core comprising of discrete bundles of closely packed high
tenacity polyester yarns, lying parallel to each other, encased in a linear low density
polyethylene sheath. The polyester fibers carry load while the sheath provide the shape to
the composite strips and shall help to protect the yarns from mechanical damage, biological
and chemical degradation. These strips are passed through rollers to give a knurled finish
on the sheath. They are cooled and cut to length.
The products are formed by heat bonding widely spaced composites of nominal strength
across an array of the strips to produce a nominal 4.5 meter wide planar structure
(Figure 3). The density of the polyester yarns in the core governs the tensile strength of
geogrid, more the density more is the tensile strength.

Figure 3: High Strength Geogrids

1.1.3 Drainage Composite

Drainage composites are prefabricated sub surface drainage products which directly
replace the granular drainage layer. Drainage composites effectively eliminate hydrostatic
pressure by collecting and conveying groundwater to a drainp i p e fordischarge. They
are made of lightweight three-dimensional, high-compressive strengthpolymeric core and
nonwoven geotextile, provided on both sides as per requirements. The drainage composite
realized by thermobonding a draining core in extruded monofilaments (GMA) with two
filtering nonwoven geotextile and cores of “N” configuration of longitudinal parallel
channels shall be used.

The drainage core shall be made of polypropylene UV stabilized by carbon black and
made by extrudedmonofilaments set in longitudinal parallel configuration and the
external geotextileshall be made of polyethylene or polypropylene or polyester or similar
fibres manufactured through machine made process of heat bonding or needle punching
techniques. Refer Figure 4 for typical details of drainage composite.
 Figure 4: High Strength Geogrids

1.1.4 Non-Woven Geotextile

Non-Woven Geotextile is used as separator behind the Gabion retaining wall/ Gabion
mattress. It is made of virgin high tenacity polypropylene or polyester staple fibers which are
UV stabilized refer Figure 5. They are characterized by a high resistance to installation
damage, high water permeability, resistance to ultraviolet degradation and to biological and
chemical environments.

Figure 5: Non-Woven Geotextile

1.1.5 Stone Filling/Rock

Rocks (as shown in Figure 6) for filling in Gabion facia units, should be obtained by any
suitable quarrying method. Rocks should be hard, angular to round, durable and of such
quality that they do not lose their integrity on exposure to water or weathering during the life
of the structure. Typically, basalt, granite and hard sandstones shall be used. The most
appropriate size for stone varies from 1.5 to 2 times dimension D of the mesh, i.e. the stone
 should be large enough to prevent its escape through mesh. The size of the rocks should
range between 150 and 250 mm for mesh size of 10 x 12mm. Based on the below given
properties the filling material needs to be selected.

1. Minimum density – 26 kN/m3

2. Maximum porosity – 35%
3. Maximum water absorption – 5%

Figure 6: Random mixed rocks supplied from quarry

1.1.6 Backfill soil/Structural fill

The soil used as structural fill should be free draining and well graded granular fill with
percent of fines passing 75-micron sieve not greater than 15% having PI less than 6.

1.2 Reinforced steel 3D erosion control mat

3D Reinforced synthetic geomat is the next generation of high performing geomat made
from the extrusion of Polypropylene Geomat onto a mechanically woven double twisted
hexagonal shaped steel wire mesh. The reinforcing hexagonal steel wire mesh has
mechanical characteristics higher than the ones suggested from EN 10223-3. The wire is
with a Zn-AI5% coating in accordance with EN 10244-2, Class A.
 Figure 7: Erosion Control Mat

Main features:
• Provides immediate erosion protection from rainfall runoff, encourages re-vegetation
of the soil slope and provides root reinforcement.
• Provides immediate protection of exposed areas from direct effect of winds and
rainfall.
• Reduces the velocity and volume of runoff flow by increasing water percolation into
the soil.
• Recommended in Section 700 of MORTH (Refer Tables 700-13 & 700-14).
• Speedy and Efficient Installation.
• Durable

The hexagonal wire mesh forming the reinforced 3- Dimensional geosynthetic mat has a
long service life and high-resistance which meets the strict requirements for slope protection
works.

Reference Code: MORTH Specifications Rev 5: Section 700 (Refer Tables 700-13 &
700-14) and IRC HRB Special Report 23, clause 5.4.

1.3 Hydraulically Applied Erosion Control Measures (Hydroseeding)

Hydraulically Applied Erosion Control Measures contains of hydraulically applied erosion

control product (HECP) and alternative top soil:

1.3.1 High Performance Flexible Growth Medium

High Performance-Flexible Growth Medium (HP-FGM) is a hydraulically-applied, 100%
biodegradable growth medium that is composed of 100% recycled thermally refined (within
a pressure vessel) wood fibers, crimped interlocking man-made biodegradable fibers,
mineral activators, naturally derived cross- linked biopolymers and water absorbents. The
HP-FGM is Phyto sanitized, free from plastic netting, requires no curing period and upon
application forms an intimate bond with the soil surface to create a continuous, porous,
absorbent and flexible erosion resistant blanket that allows for rapid germination and
accelerated plant growth. It has proven to surpass all hydraulically applied mulch products
and turf establishment blankets.

The main features are:

• Immediately effective upon application bonds directly to soil.
• Superior erosion control 99% effective at multiple large-scale testing laboratories.
• Excellent functional longevity that lasts through grow-in upto 2 years.
• Ideal for dormant seeding and long-term protection in arid climates.
• Less soil preparation, faster lay down and lower installed cost than rolled blankets.
• Faster vegetative establishment and greater biomass production than any rolled
blanket or hydraulically applied mulch available.
• Minimizes soil loss and turbidity of effluent runoff Proven to be completely
environmentally friendly.
• Reduces the “C” factor when calculating soil loss using RUSLE equation.
 Figure 8: Application of High Performance-Flexible Growth Medium

1.3.2 Biotic Soil Media

Biotic Soil Media (BSM) has been designed as a topsoil alternative that accelerates the
development of depleted soils/substrates with low organic matter, low nutrient levels and
limited biological activity. BSM is not a direct replacement for expensive topsoil but provides
an abundant source of organic matter and soil building components to quickly modify soil
chemistry, initiate growth establishment and build-up of the uppermost “O” and “A” soil
horizons.

All components of the BSM blend are naturally derived and renewable, and engineered to
optimize moisture retention, growth and establishment of vegetation. BSM can be used on
challenging sites with difficult access and on steep slopes where topsoil placement is
 impractical.

Figure 9: Application of Biotic Soil Media

1.4 Gabion Mattress

The Gabion mattress is a structure made of hexagonal double twisted wire mesh, with
mechanical characteristics as per the one suggested in IS 16014:2018. To secure a tighter
packing of the filling stones and improve the hydraulic performances of the mattresses, the units
are supplied together with vertical ties (X-Ties).

The steel wire used to manufacture the mattress is heavily Zinc + High abrasion resistance
Polymer coated. High abrasion resistance polymer coating is used for aggressive environments
where soil or water are acidic, in salt or fresh water, or wherever the risk of corrosion is present.
The Polymer coating has a nominal thickness of 0.5mm.

Figure 10: Gabion Mattress with Vertical Ties

1.5 GABION UNIT

Gabion unit is made up of mechanically woven heavily galvanised steel gabions. Gabions are
rectangular cages made of hexagonal double-twist (DT) wire mesh filled with appropriately
sizes cobbles or quarry stones. In order to reinforce the structure, all edges are selvedge with
a wire having greater diameter. The gabion is divided into cells by means of diaphragms
positioned at 1 m centres. The Zn + High abrasion resistance Polymer coated steel gabions
are of mesh type 10x12 with mesh wire diameter 2.7 mm. Gabions are filled with stones at the
project site to form flexible, permeable, monolithic structures such as retaining walls, channel
linings, and weirs for erosion control projects.

Figure 11: Gabion Units