Which of the following is a true characteristic of gabions?

Which of the following is a true characteristic of gabions?

• A. They are rigid timber walls filled with soil
• B. They are inflated fabric tubes filled with air
• C. They are made of plastic sheets sealed with epoxy
• D. They are steel mesh cages filled with small rocks

Answer: (D)

Gabions are steel mesh cages filled with rock. The rock fill inside the wire baskets creates a sturdy, permeable structure that can drain water and flex under pressure, which helps stabilize slopes and protect against erosion. The combination of a metal mesh containment with stone fill is what distinguishes gabions from other barriers. Other descriptions refer to different devices—timber walls filled with soil, inflated fabric tubes, or plastic sheets sealed with epoxy—not gabions.

Gabions are steel mesh cages filled with rock. The rock fill inside the wire baskets creates a sturdy, permeable structure that can drain water and flex under pressure, which helps stabilize slopes and protect against erosion. The combination of a metal mesh containment with stone fill is what distinguishes gabions from other barriers. Other descriptions refer to different devices—timber walls filled with soil, inflated fabric tubes, or plastic sheets sealed with epoxy—not gabions.