Gabion water barrier structures as a sustainable approach to water and land conservation

Abstract

Gabions involve low construction technology and are flexible, economically viable, and environmentally friendly. They are now widely accepted as a standard construction material on a global scale. Gabion water barrier structures can be used for a variety of objectives, including flood control, land development, regulation of sediment transport, and catchment restoration. While intense water runoff can cause a large hole or submerge regions in solid water barrier constructions, gabion structures can sink down into the earth and protect the land from environmental and economic damage. The present study reviews the design/construction procedure of gabion water barrier structures and field/laboratory and numerical investigations for their performance in water and land conservation. Various applications of gabion water barrier structures, especially for economic/social impact and environmental degradation control, which qualify the gabion water barrier structures as a sustainable technique for water and land conservation, are reviewed. Future aspects and challenges ahead are also discussed.

Keywords: Construction technology; Environmentally friendly; Flood control; Land conservation; Sustainable technique; Water conservation.