Enviromesh Backs Big Blocks

Ceranablok® is a complementary concrete block facing giving the appearance of natural rock wall that is secured externally to a gabion structure (in this case Enviromesh’s own gabion System 27). To understand the many features of Ceranablok® it is worth firstly highlighting the gabion system that it finishes. The Enviromesh Gabion 27 system is a quick to erect welded mesh structure which consists of units that are subdivided into 686mm cells along the length of the cage. Construction is such that the base of the gabion forms the lid of the unit below.

The gabion units can be lined simply on site internally with a corrugated polymer liner enabling the use of local granular fill materials that are smaller than the mesh aperture. The base of the structure is extended by fixed dimensions to allow for a predetermined stepping arrangement at each course. The outer face is flush, allowing for a variety of finishes including Ceranablok®.

Securely fixed to the gabion face with no visible exteral wires, Ceranablok® provides an aesthetically pleasing finish to the monolithic structure where the mass of the facing block and the gabion itself provide the stability. The blocks are available as full blocks (686 x 235 x 120mm), half blocks (343 x 235 x 120mm) and end blocks for wall returns enabling a stretcher bond-laying pattern to be achieved.

The first scheme to use Ceranablok® was secured in Benfleet, Essex for developer Graham Renshaw who comments “Gabion 27 was specified for the creation of a level parking area from a hillside site with a 30% gradient for a residential scheme. The requirement was for a system that didn’t need extensive foundations with the high associated costs, but one that was fit for purpose and had a stone wall appearance that is more sympathetic to the surrounding wooded glade. Ceranablok® fitted the bill perfectly and the result is very pleasing.”

The project required two types of block: a half end block with two textured faces and a full block that has one textured face – and arrangement that offered a textured face visible on any wall return. The blocks can articulate according to the cell length of the gabion, i.e. 675mm, to achieve curves. Unlike some segmental blocks, they do not interlink; instead, the block is secured to the mesh. The advantage of using Ceranablok® in conjunction with Gabion 27 is that it allows a small footprint area compared to traditional segmental walls based on reinforced earth design where the reinforcing element is locked into the block system. Ceranablok® can be used as a face element to both reinforced soil structures and gravity walls, thereby allowing the most cost-effective solution.

Other advantages include the fact that the blocks can be erected in all weathers and require minimal plant and labour.