PROPOSED SOLUTIONS:

1) GABION SLOPE PROTECTION WALL STRUCTURE

Since the existing gabion in Gakian, Gambang, Bakun, Benguet have failed due to the
failure of its foundation brought about by natural calamities, a rehabilitation of the wall is
needed in order to provide slope protection against the unstable condition of soil in the
area.

Gabions are porous type of structure that are interlocked with each other providing
internal stability, and with its heavy mass, it can resist hydraulic and earth forces. Gabion
wall are ideal and suited for erosion control and mitigation applications because of its ability
to reduce the velocity of water runoff and, thus, stabilizes slopes that are prone to erode in
times of strong and heavy rains. The area is prone to soil erosion, especially because of its
loose soil-gravel characteristics and that the water inflow, during heavy rainfall, triggers the
slope to erode. Hence, gabion wall may be considered as an appropriate solution to address
the problem.

Since the condition of the slopes in Gakian are considered critical due to the washout,
providing a better design of the gabion wall may address the frequency of erosion in the
area. Due to the washout, the roadway have been affected that it became unpassable by
any type of vehicle. The affected road is a main farm-to-market road used by residents of
Bakun, Benguet. So providing a better gabion retaining wall in the area would return the
condition of traversing that area back to normal and, thus, provide a safer roadway.

What is the proposed solution?

Rehabilitation/repair of the gabion wall is recommended. It includes excavating and
removing of failed fill materials in order to replace it with new gabion wall structure using
quarried stones and steel reinforcements. To improve stability anchoring the gabion to the earth
will also be an option to be added.

Would it satisfy important needs? How would it satisfy the needs?

Gabions are heavy structures that are interlocked with each other providing internal
stability that can resist hydraulic and earth forces. Gabion is suited for the erosion control and
mitigation at Gakian. And due to its ability to reduce the velocity of water runoff, the gabion can
stabilize and provide protection against unstable the slope conditions.

Could it solve the entire problem or would it address a critical part?

Due to its loose soil-gravel characteristics the water inflow, during heavy rainfall, may
trigger the slope to erode. So, the gabion wall may be considered to address the slope prone to
eroding.
What are the limitations?
The gabion wall is to be constructed only in the critical parts where failures were
observed during the visit at Gakian since other earth retaining structures still exist and
seem undamaged.