This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: D7014 − 22

Standard Practice for

Installation of Double-Twisted Wire Mesh Gabions and Revet
Mattresses1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7014; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope* 2. Referenced Documents

1.1 This specification covers standard practice for founda- 2.1 ASTM Standards:2
tion preparation, assembly, placement and filling of double- A975 Specification for Double-Twisted Hexagonal Mesh
twisted wire mesh gabions and revet mattresses used for Gabions and Revet Mattresses (Metallic-Coated Steel
various erosion control, soil retention or freestanding struc- Wire or Metallic-Coated Steel Wire With Poly(Vinyl
tures. Chloride) (PVC) Coating)
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
1.2 This guide offers an organized collection of information
Fluids
or a series of options and does not recommend a specific course
D6711 Practice for Specifying Rock to Fill Gabions, Revet
of action. This document cannot replace education or experi-
Mattresses, and Gabion Mattresses
ence and should be used in conjunction with professional
judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all
circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to repre- 3. Terminology
sent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of 3.1 Definitions:
a given professional service must be judged, nor should this 3.1.1 For definitions of common technical terms in this
document be applied without consideration of a project’s many standard, refer to Terminology D653.
unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
document means only that the document has been approved 3.2.1 selvedge wire, n—a terminal wire used to edge the
through the ASTM consensus process." wire mesh perpendicular to the double twist by mechanically
1.3 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded wrapping the mesh wires around it at least 2.5 times or by
as standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for inserting it through the twists and folding one mesh length.
information only and are not considered standard. 3.2.2 edge wire, n—a terminal wire used to edge the wire
1.4 This standard may involve hazardous materials, mesh parallel to the double twist by continuously weaving it
operations, and equipment. This standard does not purport to into the wire mesh.
address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its 3.2.3 lacing wire, n—for gabions and revet mattresses, a
use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to metallic coated steel wire or metallic coated steel wire with
establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental prac- PVC coating used to assemble and interconnect empty units, to
tices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations close and secure stone filled units and for internal stiffeners.
prior to use. 3.2.4 fastener, n—an alternate connector to lacing wire, used
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor- for binding operations for gabions and revet mattresses.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.2.5 stiffener, n—for gabions, a length of metallic coated
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
steel wire or metallic coated steel wire with PVC coating used
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
for support of facing.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
3.2.5.1 Discussion—Stiffeners can be formed at project site
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
using lacing wire by connecting the front panel to the back
panel of a gabion cell. Alternatively, preformed stiffeners can
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.25 on Erosion and
2
Sediment Control Technology. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved June 1, 2022. Published June 2022. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as D7014–18ɛ1. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D7014-22. the ASTM website.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

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 D7014 − 22
be installed across the corner of a gabion cell or connecting the 6. Assembly
front panel to the back panel of a gabion cell as specified in 6.1 Gabions:
Specification A975. 6.1.1 The folded units shall be taken out from the bundle
3.2.6 diaphragm, n—in erosion control, wire mesh panel and placed on a hard, flat surface. Gabions shall be unfolded
used to partition the gabions and revet mattresses into com- and pressed out to their original shape (Fig. 1). Front, back and
partments. end panels shall be lifted to a vertical position to form an open
box shape (Fig. 2).
4. Significance and Use 6.1.2 Panels shall be fastened together with the projecting
4.1 Gabions and Revet Mattresses, as described in Specifi- heavier gauge selvedge wire by firmly wrapping the selvedge
cation A975, are used to achieve soil stability and prevent soil wire around the selvedge or edge wire of the intersecting panel
erosion and are also used as retaining wall structures to resist or the back panel (Fig. 3). Inner diaphragm panels shall be
movements due to gravity. Their ability to function properly lifted into a vertical position and secured in the same manner.
depends on correct design and installation. This standard All edges of the diaphragms and end panels shall be tied or
practice describes the proper installation of gabions and revet fastened to the front and back of the gabion as specified in
mattresses to ensure the products function as intended by the Section 7.
manufacturers. 6.2 Revet Mattresses:
6.2.1 The folded units shall be taken out from the bundle
5. Material Delivery
and placed on a hard, flat surface. Revet mattresses shall be
5.1 Gabions and revet mattresses are manufactured with all opened, unfolded and pressed out to their original shape. Front,
components mechanically connected at the production facility back and end panels shall be lifted to a vertical position to form
with the exception of the mattress lid, which is produced an open box shape (Fig. 4).
separately from the base, as per Specification A975. All 6.2.2 End flaps shall be folded and/or overlapped, as appro-
gabions and revet mattresses shall be labeled to show their priate. All edges of the diaphragms and end panels shall be tied
dimensions, the number of pieces, and the manufacturer’s color or fastened to the front and back of the mattress, as specified in
code if applicable. Section 7.
5.2 All gabions and revet mattresses are supplied in the
collapsed form, either folded and bundled or rolled, for 7. Fastening Procedure
shipping. The bundles are banded together at the factory for 7.1 All gabions and revet mattresses must be fastened as
shipping and handling. Revet mattress bases and lids may be specified in 7.2 and 7.3 at each step of construction. Initial
packed in separate bundles. Lacing wire is shipped in coils assembly, tying of adjacent units along the contacting edges,
having a diameter approximately 0.60 m (2 ft). Fasteners are tying of the lid to sides, tying of lid to top of diaphragms, and
shipped in boxes. Preformed stiffeners are shipped in bundles. re-tying of cut gabions or revet mattresses.

FIG. 1 Unfolding Gabion

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 D7014 − 22

FIG. 2 Assembled Gabion

FIG. 3 Selvedge Connection—End and Front Panel to Back Panel

7.2 When using tie wire, cut a piece of wire approximately wire to assemble the units, pliers may be used to create tight
1.5 times the length of the edge to be tied. The maximum joints. Care should be taken to avoid damaging the wire
length of the edge to be tied at one time shall not exceed 1 m coating. Minimum requirements for panel to panel joint
(or 3 ft). Longer edges shall be joined by several lengths of strength using tie wire shall be as specified in Specification
wire. Tie wires shall be secured around the selvedge wire or A975.
heavier edge wire, where present, by looping and twisting the
lacing wire around itself. Proceed tying with alternate double 7.3 When steel wire ring fasteners are used, the use of either
and single loops. Double loops shall be made at intervals not a mechanical or a pneumatic fastening tool is required. Rings
greater than 0.10 m to 0.15 m (4 in. to 6 in.) (Fig. 5). The shall be installed at the top and the bottom connections of the
basket pieces should be pulled tightly together during the tying end and center diaphragms and then a maximum nominal
operation. The other end of the tie wire shall be secured again spacing required to coform panel to panel connection strength
by looping and twisting the wire around itself. When using tie outlined in Specification A975 along all edges shall be used

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 D7014 − 22

FIG. 4 Assembly—Revet Mattresses

FIG. 5 Fastening Procedure—Connection Using Lacing Wire or Ring Fasteners

(Fig. 5). Ring fasteners can be galvanized, stainless steel or 8. Foundation Preparation
Zinc-5 % aluminum-mischmetal alloy coated, depending on
8.1 The foundation for gabions shall be level, smooth, free
the type of wire specified in Specification A975, section 6.3.
Minimum requirements for the panel to panel joint strength of surface irregularities, loosed materials, vegetation, and
using ring fasteners, as well as the mechanical and physical graded to the elevations as shown on the project construction
characteristics of the ring fasteners shall be as specified in drawings.
Specification A975, section 7.2.

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 D7014 − 22
8.2 The foundation for revet mattress shall be smooth and Gabion units installed at the wall ends, having two exposed
free of surface irregularities, loose material, and vegetation, sides, shall also include stiffeners installed perpendicularly to
and graded to the elevations as shown on the project construc- the lateral exposed face. For 0.3 m (1 ft) or 0.46 m (1.5 ft) high
tion drawings. baskets when used as revetment, stiffeners are not required.
8.3 Appropriate measures shall be taken for filtering and When more than one vertical layer of gabions is installed, units
drainage of the foundation, (geotextile or graded aggregate shall be overfilled to approximately 0.025 m (1 in) to 0.04 m
filters, drain pipes, etc.). Geotextiles required to be installed (1.5 in) to allow for natural settlement. The top surface shall be
behind or underneath gabion or revet mattress structures shall smoothly leveled, minimizing voids. Ensure that diaphragm
comply with the local standard requirements for subsurface tops are accessible for connecting.
drainage applications. 9.2 Revet Mattresses:
9.2.1 The pre-assembled revet mattresses shall be placed in
9. Installation and Filling position empty and shall be tied or fastened to adjacent revet
9.1 Gabions: mattresses along all contacting edges in order to form a
9.1.1 After the foundation has been prepared, the pre- continuously connected monolithic structural unit. On slopes,
assembled gabions shall be placed in position empty, and shall the mattress shall be laid with the width perpendicular to the
be tied or fastened to adjacent gabions along all containing slope, except for very small channels. Mattresses shall be
edges in order to form a continuously connected, monolithic placed and securely attached while empty. All connections
structural unit. All connections shall be in accordance with shall be in accordance with Section 7. Where mattresses are to
Section 7. Gabions shall be placed front to front and back to be placed on steep slopes (1.5 Horizontal to 1 Vertical or
back in order to expedite the stone filling and lid lacing steeper), the unit may be secured by anchoring systems
operations (Fig. 6). (hardwood pegs, galvanized pipes, steel bars, etc.) driven into
9.1.2 Rock sizes shall be in accordance with Practice the ground just below the upper end panel. Diameter, location
D6711. Rocks shall be placed in 0.30 m (1 ft) lifts for 0.91 m and the length of the anchoring system shall be established by
(3 ft) or 1 m high gabions, and 0.23 m (9 in) lifts for 0.46 m the engineer based on the slope, mesh opening and strength,
(1.5 ft) or 0.50 m high gabions. The fill layer shall never be mattress height or as specified in the project specifications.
more than 0.30 m (1 ft) higher than any adjoining cell (Fig. 7). 9.2.2 Rock sizes shall be in accordance with Practice
Care shall be taken when placing the stone to ensure that the D6711. Mattresses can be filled by any suitable appropriate
PVC coating on gabions is not damaged. After a layer of rock size machine, such as a backhoe, crane, etc. Care shall be taken
has been placed in the cell, sufficient hand manipulation of the when placing the stone to ensure that the PVC coating on
rock shall be performed to minimize voids and achieve a mattresses is not damaged. Sufficient hand manipulation of the
maximum density of rock in the gabion. The rock in exposed rock shall be performed to minimize voids and result in a
vertical faces shall be hand placed to reduce voids on the outer maximum density of rock in the mattress. Filling shall be done
face. unit by unit, but several units shall be ready for filling at any
9.1.3 Stiffeners shall be installed as indicated (Figs. 8 and 9) one time.
at the vertical third points of any unsupported or exposed face 9.2.3 Ensure that the diaphragm tops are accessible for
for a gabion 0.91 m (3 ft) or 1 m high, as the cell is being filled. wiring. Securely attach the lids to the ends of the mattresses

FIG. 6 Installation and Filling—Gabions

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 D7014 − 22

FIG. 7 Installation and Filling—Gabions

FIG. 8 Gabions Stiffeners Installation Layout

and then securely attach them to the sides and diaphragms, because of space limitations, the basket unit shall be cut, folded
using alternate double and single loops, or steel wire ring or overlapped, and securely connected as specified in Section 7
fasteners. Adjacent lids can be securely attached in one to suit existing site conditions.
operation. In cases where a number of adjacent bases are to be
covered simultaneously, rolls of mesh can be used in place of 10.2 Gabion and revet mattresses can conform to bends up
unit size lids. to a radius of 18 m to 21 m (60 ft to 70 ft) without alterations.
The units shall be securely connected as specified in Section 7,
10. Onsite Gabion and Revet Mattress Modifications and shall be placed to the required curvature for filling.
10.1 Non-rectangular Shapes and Special Adaptation— Gabions may be cut to form curves or bevels.
Where a complete gabion or revet mattress cannot be installed

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 D7014 − 22

FIG. 9 Gabions Stiffener Details

10.3 All modified gabions shall form a closed cell when diaphragms as specified in Section 7. Adjacent lids may be tied
completed. Excess mesh wire shall be cut off or tightly and or attached simultaneously. All projecting sharp ends of wire
neatly tied down. Care shall be taken that all projecting wires shall be turned in on the completed gabion structure.
are turned inward or cut off.
11.2 Revet Mattresses—After the rock has been leveled and
11. Closing the voids minimized, the lid shall be placed and tied or fastened
11.1 Gabions—After the rock has been leveled and voids along all edges, ends, and tops of diaphragms in the manner as
have been minimized, fold the lid down and pull edges of the specified in Section 7 (Figs. 10 and 11). Adjacent lids may be
panels together. It should require a light stretching using an attached simultaneously. All projecting ends shall be turned in
appropriate closing tool or lid closer in order to bring the two on the completed revet mattress structure.
gabion pieces together. Care shall be taken that the mesh is not
deformed or the coating on the wire damaged. The projecting 12. Keywords
selvedge wire of the lid shall be wrapped two complete turns 12.1 erosion control; gabions; lacing wire; lid closer; pre-
around the selvedge wire or edge wire on the sides. The lid formed; revet mattresses; ring fasteners; stiffeners
shall be tightly tied along all edges, ends, and tops of

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FIG. 10 Revet Mattresses—Lid Perpendicular to the Bank

FIG. 11 Revet Mattresses—Lid Parallel to the Bank

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee D18 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue
(D7014–18ɛ1) that may impact the use of this standard. (June 1, 2022)

(1) Revised 3.2.5 and 9.1.3. (2) Revised Figs. 8 and 9.

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