Structural and economic viability of gabion wall for slope stabilization

Abstract

The increasing frequency of natural disasters, such as landslides, has intensified the search for containment solutions that combine structural efficiency and economic feasibility. This study aims to analyze the structural and economic feasibility of applying gabion walls for the stabilization of the slope near the Rio Negro Courthouse in Paraná as a safe, sustainable, and cost-effective containment solution. The geotechnical characterization of the soil was carried out through laboratory tests of particle size distribution, consistency limits, moisture content, unit weight, and allowable bearing capacity. The design of the walls was performed using the GEO5 software, considering parameters such as friction angle, cohesion, and groundwater level. The economic analysis was based on a cost comparison between gabion walls and the existing cantilever wall, using the SICRO and SINAPI reference tables. The test results classified the analyzed soils (S1, S2, and S3) as slightly sandy silty clays, suitable for the proposed solution. The designed gabion walls (Mg1 to Mg5) met all stability requirements, showing safety factors higher than 1.50 in the sliding, overturning, and bearing capacity checks. From an economic perspective, gabion walls resulted in estimated savings of R$37,550.26 compared to the cantilever wall. It is concluded that the gabion solution is structurally safe, financially advantageous, and eliminates the need for additional drainage systems, contributing to cost reduction and lowering the risk of failure.