Author: Amanda Peterson

Gabion baskets come in all different shapes and sizes. The benefit of constructing a gabion basket retaining wall is that baskets can be added to make the base of a wall thicker, therefore constructing larger gravity walls than typical segmental walls. Also, baskets can be used in a site fill application with geogrid reinforcement at each course. The baskets are filled typically with football sized rock, however there are endless possibilities for the design pattern of the stone and the type of material that that can be used. Many architects like the “industrial” feel and look of the gabion basket system. Gabion basket retaining walls can be designed to meet the site specifications of many different applications across the country.

Natural stone unit paving is a specialty application typically driven on aesthetics alone. Structures has installed all types of granite stone paving and flagstone slabs across the country. We have installed granite pavers and cobbles ranging from finely cut granite out of Wisconsin to 200 year old cobbles pulled from the streets of Europe. We have resources that can meet demanding quality including personalized inscriptions and logo engravings. With natural stone pavers, the possibilities are endless!

MSE Panel Retaining Walls are typically used to support large vehicular loading in applications consisting of new highways and bridges. The panels are wet-cast concrete designed to meet strict Department of Transportation (DOT) testing regulations. Each panel is designed with geogrid reinforcing straps attached to the back that will be compacted over with structural fill soil typically with the use of a large ride-on roller. Every project goes through a demanding design and submittal process to ensure the construction procedures and materials are in complete conformance with the local DOT. These walls are selected for particular applications because of their performance, but different panels can be selected with integrated facing textures to meet high quality aesthetics.

The use of slope stabilization comes into play when the owner of a property is looking for a more efficient solution with vegetation. In these images, a slope was created at a pitch of 1.5H:1V. The Enkamat R45 is able to stabilize the slope and allow grass to grow overtime. The Enkamat is rolled out down the slope and anchored into place with 3′ deep RVX Armor Anchors at 7.5′ offsets. During these types of installations, it is mandatory that we have a written tie-off safety plan in place that is site specific for the installation method.

Welded Wire Facing Units (WWF) are used to show vegetation of a near vertical slope, or sometimes are used as the reinforcing structure of an MSE Panel Retaining Wall. For vegetation growth, erosion control blankets are wrapped at the face of the basket as it is filled with topsoil-like material. For MSE Panel installation that covers the face of the WWF wall, heavy-duty filter fabric is used to support the structural soil fill within the baskets. Every basket course is reinforced with geogrid (typical to a regular segmental wall) at a depth structurally designed by the wall engineer of record.