5.1 Gabions and mattresses are described in Specifications A974 and A975. Gabions and mattresses are primarily used for earth retaining walls, erosion mitigation and scour protection works. Their ability to function properly depends on their stability, which is partly dependent upon the rocks filling them. Rock sizes should be chosen to prevent individual rocks from falling through the mesh of the gabions or mattresses. The rock also has to withstand natural weathering processes during the life of the project that would cause it to breakdown to sizes smaller than the wire mesh opening dimensions.

1.1 This practice covers the sizes and quality of rock to fill gabions and mattresses.

1.2 This practice does not cover the sizes and quality of rock for other erosion control uses such as riprap or drainage.

1.3 This practice does not cover the material properties or construction of gabions or mattresses.

1.4 Units—The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the standard.

1.5 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing one or more specific operations. This document cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this practice may be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor should this document be applied without consideration of a project's many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this document means only that the document has been approved through the ASTM consensus process.

1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.7 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.