Product Guide

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Maccaferri SA (Pty) Ltd, formerly known as African Gabions, a subsidiary of the Maccaferri Group founded in Italy in
1879, is an ISO 9001 & ISO 14001 company and specialises in providing products and solutions for the preservation of
the environment. Our traditional double-twist wire mesh products are typically used for flood protection, landslide control,
channel linings, embankment and soil stabilisation and erosion control all over the world. In addition, Maccaferri SA provides
a range of geotextile and erosion control blankets to compliment our existing core products. Other services offered by
Maccaferri SA include technical design assistance, design software, training and on-site assistance.

Maccaferri through the use of products in this Product Guide offers engineered solutions from reinforced soil structures to
pavement reinforcement and from rockfall mitigation to tunnelling systems. Maccaferri works in partnership with its clients,
offering technical expertise to deliver versatile, cost effective and environmentally sound solutions. Maccaferri’s vision is
to become a leading international provider of advanced solutions to the construction market. Implementing a strategy of
vertical integration, Maccaferri researches, designs, supplies and now constructs solutions within its target markets. With
operations in 100 countries and 30 factories across 5 continents, you are never far from Maccaferri’s technical support and
solution services.

For more detailed information on our products, please call the Maccaferri technical teams today, or visit www.maccaferri.co.za.
This Product Guide should be read in conjunction with the Groups's Solutions Guide and Technical Data Sheets.

The Mesh Woven wire mesh is a non-ravelling mesh made by twisting continuous pairs of wires through
three one-half turns (commonly known as double-twist) which are then interconnected to adjacent
wires to form hexagonal openings. Maccaferri SA manufactures woven mesh to comply with the
requirements of SANS 1580.

MESH

MESH TOLERANCE
The tolerance on the opening of the
mesh "b" being the distance between
the axis of two consecutive twists ac-
cording to SANS 1580.

Wire & Coatings Mild steel wire to SANS 675 is used in the manufacture of all our wire mesh products. All wire is
coated to Class A with Zinc Galvanising or Zinc Alloy Galvanising (Galfan Zn 95AI5). Galfan is a
eutectic Zn-Al mischmetal: a combination resulting in a more uniform crystalline microstructure
and improved mechanical characteristics. It consists of a steel wire corrosion protection with
a ±95% Zinc and ±5% Aluminium Alloy. Small additions of Cerium-Lanthanum rare earths is
added to improve the reliability of the coating process. These heavy duty Class A Zinc coating
or Zinc Alloy (Galfan ZN 95AI5), coating are applied by hot-dip galvanising to SANS 675, SANS
10244-2 and EN10244-2 and ASTM A641. Gabions and Mattresses are also coated to meet the
additional requirements of SANS 1580.

The Class A Zinc Galvanising or Zinc Alloy

Galvanising (Galfan Zn 95AI5I) coated wire can be, Mild Steel
if required, provided with a PVC (to SANS 1580 and Galfan or
EN 10245-2 and ASTM A975) or PA6 Nylon coating Zinc Coating
(to EN 10245-5) which are extruded over the
galvanised wire to provide added protection for use PVC or PA6 Nylon
in aggressive environments such as acidic soils or Coating
water, in salt water, in water carrying a high abrasive
sediment load or wherever the risk of corrosion is present. The PVC coating comes in grey or tan and has
a nominal thickness of 0,5 mm and the PA6 Nylon coating comes in black and has a nominal thickness of
0,4mm.

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MacMat® & MacMat® - R MacMat® is a three-dimensional erosion control mat manufac-

tured from entangled polypropylene mono-filaments in brown
or black. MacMat® is of a low tensile strength of less than 2
kN/m, and is suitable for light hydraulic and erosion control ap-
plications.

MACMAT® MACMAT® - R MacMat® can be reinforced with Maccaferri's double-twist Type

60 wire mesh of strength 35 kN/m coated as per specifications
of page 2 or reinforced with a geogrid of strength ranging from
80 to 200 kN/m form MacMat®-R

This unique combination marries the excellent anti-erosion

properties of the three-dimensional MacMat® geomat with the
tensile properties of the reinforcement and can therefore be
used for long-term root reinforcement, erosion control, re-vege-
tation, hydraulic applications and, when used with soil nails and
shotcrete, for slope stabilisation.

MacMat® 9.1 MacMat® - R1 MacMat® - R1

Steel Geogrid

Ecologs™ EcoLogs™ are cylindrical biodegradable sleeves manufactured

from BioMac™and bound together with twine. They can be if
required, reinforced with Maccaferri's double-twist Type 60 wire
mesh. EcoLogs™ are used to reduce sheet erosion and create
a micro-climate for vegetation establishment. Ecologs™ are
available in 2m length x 0.3mm diameter.
ECOLOGS™

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Biojute BioJute is a biodegradable short-term erosion control blanket manufactured

from fabric woven into an open mesh from rugged, heavy jute yarn. BioJute
is used for erosion control and re-vegetation where partial protection of the
river banks, streams and slopes is required. BioJute is available in packs
and in 2 different grades, BioJute 250 and BioJute 500 for different water
retention.
BIOJUTE

BioMac® BioMac® is a biodegradable long-term erosion control blanket manufactured

from randomly arranged coconut husk fibres layered between photosensitive
polypropylene netting to produce a coir mat. BioMac®'s three-ply composite
provides immediate erosion control and a stable medium to support healthy
plant growth. BioMac® is used for erosion control and revetment protection
to assist in the establishment of vegetation on slopes, high rainfall areas
BIOMAC® and ditches and water courses with low energy flows.

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Rockfall Netting Rockfall protection netting is used to prevent rocks and debris from falling
onto roads, railways and where there is a possibility of damage to property
or injury to personnel. Rockfall Netting is made of hexagonal woven wire
mesh Type 60 or 80 commonly referred to as double twist mesh. The
drapery is erected by lacing mesh rolls side by side on the rock surface.
Sufficient wire is supplied for lacing. When used in conjunction with
ROCKFALL erosion control blankets the rockfall netting assists with environmental
NETTING rehabilitation and erosion control.

Gabions Gabions are baskets manufactured to SANS 1580 with hexagonal woven wire Mesh
Type 80, commonly referred to as double twist wire mesh. The steel wire used in
the manufacture of Gabions is 2.7mm in diameter to SANS 675 and is heavily
galvanised to class A with zinc or zinc alloy (Galfan Zn 95Al5) coated wire according
to SANS 1580 and has a tensile strength between 350-575N/mm2. If required, a
Polymer coating is extruded over the galvanised wire to provide added protection
GABIONS for use in aggressive environments where corrosion is present. The two types of
Polymer coatings available are PVC coating to SANS 1580 which is available in
grey or tan and has a nominal thickness of 0,5 mm and PA6 Nylon coating to EN
10245-5 which comes in black and has a nominal thickness of 0,4mm.

m
00
1,0
L
W

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Mattresses Reno® and Castoro® mattresses are manufactured to SANS 1580 from
hexagonal woven steel wire Mesh Type 60, commonly referred to as
double twist wire mesh.

The steel wire used in the manufacture of the mattress is 2.2mm diameter
to SANS 675 and is heavily zinc or zinc alloy (Galfan Zn 95Al5) coated,
CASTORO® RENO® Class A as per SANS 1580 and has a tensile strength between 350-575N/
MATTRESSES MATTRESSES
mm2. If required, a Polymer coating is extruded over the galvanised wire
to provide added protection for use in aggressive environments where
corrosion is present. The two types of Polymer coatings available are PVC
coating to SANS 1580 which is available in grey or tan and has a nominal
thickness of 0,5 mm and PA6 Nylon coating to EN 10245-5 which comes in
black and has a nominal thickness of 0,4mm.

MacTex® MacTex® N is a continuous filament needlepunched polyester geotextile.

Its high-energy absorption, and resistance to de-tangling of fibres make the
MacTex® N range ideal for functions of filtration, separation and protection.
MacTex® W is a woven geotextile manufactured from UV stabilised woven
polypropylene yarns. The high strength of MacTex® W combined with its
separation function, make the MacTex® W a unique product when a single
MACTEX® N MACTEX® W
product is required for separation and ground stabilisation.

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MacDrain® MacDrain® is a geocomposite for drainage, manufactured with a rigid or

flexible core in polypropylene, which allows water to flow freely. The sides
of the core are enclosed with a non-woven geotextile, thermally bonded to
the core ensuring filtration, separation and protection of the core from any
damage. If required, a water-proof membrane can replace one geotextile
side layer. Each side of the geotextile exceeds the edge of the drainage
MACDRAIN® core, which is achieved by overlapping the butt-joints of the adjacent
MacDrain® sheet.
MacDrain®
with geotextile
MacDrain®
with geomembrane

MacGrid® AR MacGrid® AR.7 and the composite AR G.7 (geogrid in combination with a
non-woven geotextile) are planar structures consisting of glass fibre strands
arranged in a grid shape with squared polymeric coated mesh. On request,
the MacGrid® AR.7 can be supplied with a pressure-sensitive adhesive.
The full range of MacGrid® AR materials has been specially developed for
asphalt reinforcement (i.e. highways and airports) and industrial pavement
MACGRID® AR applications.

MacGrid® AR.7 MacGrid® AR G.7

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TerraMesh® System Terramesh® System is a versatile modular system used for soil reinforcement
applications such as mechanically stabilised earth walls and slopes. The double
twist Type 80 mesh that provides the soil reinforcement is continuous and is
taken through to the front and bent up to form, together with additional mesh for
diaphragms, sides and the back, a rectangular shaped gabion basket for stone
confinement.

TERRAMESH® The Terramesh® units are manufactured from heavily Class A Galfan (zinc alloy Zn
SYSTEM
95Al5) wire to SANS 675 and SANS 10244-1. A polymer of PVC or PA6 Nylon is
extruded over the galfan coated wire. The PVC coating to SANS 1580 is grey and
has a nominal thickness of 0,5 mm and the PA6 nylon coating to EN 10245-5 is
black and has a nominal thickness of 0,4mm.
H
Terramesh® System units are supplied in standard lengths requiring no cuts on site.
In order to reinforce the structure, all mesh panel edges are selvedged with a wire
W having a diameter greater than the mesh wire diameter. The dimensions are given
in length of tail from the front face x width of the front face x height of the
D front face.

Green TerraMesh® Green Terramesh® units are manufactured from a Type 80 double twist
hexagonal woven wire mesh to SANS 1580. The mesh is continuous and
provides both the reinforcing element as well as, together with a welded
mesh panel, the front sloped face of the unit. The front face is lined with a
biodegradable BioMac geomat which assists with the retention of the topsoil
and greening finish that can be provided.

GREEN The Green Terramesh® units are manufactured from heavily Class A Galfan
TERRAMESH®
(zinc alloy Zn 95Al5) wire to SANS 675 and SANS 10244-1. A polymer of PVC
or PA6 Nylon is extruded over the galfan coated wire. The PVC Coating to
5m
SANS 1580 is grey and has a nominal thickness of 0,5 mm and the PA6 nylon
0.6 coating to EN 10245-5 is black and has a nominal thickness of 0,4mm.
m

The dimensions are given in length of tail from the front face x width of the front
0.61

face (3.0m) x height of the front face.

L
W

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MacGrid® MacGrid® geogrids are ideal for soil reinforcement and ground stabilisation in
pavements, parking areas and container yards.
Macgrid® WG is a geogrid made from high-molecular weight, high-tenacity
polyester, multifilament yarns and is a monodirectional woven geogrid developed
for soil reinforcement applications where it can be used in conjunction with
TerraMesh® and Green TerraMesh® Systems.
MACGRID® WG MACGRID® EG Macgrid® WG S is a high-tenacity polyester bidirectional woven geogrid finished
with a polymeric coating with high resistance to installation damage to relieve
the pressure of the pavement structure on the insitu soil. MacGrid® EG S is a
high-modulus polypropylene bidirectional extruded geogrid, enhancing the
pavement materials through the interlocking with the soil particles ideal for ground
stabilisation in pavements, parking areas and container yards.

ParaProducts The ParaProducts family of products consists of ParaLink®, ParaGrid® and

ParaDrain®. They are manufactured from of a planar structure consisting of
a regular array of composite geosynthetic straps, with a core of polyester
yarn tendons encased in a polyethylene sheath. ParaLink® is mainly used
for basal reinforcement solutions due to its high tensile strength of up to
1600kN/m. ParaGrid® is mainly untilsed in soil reinforcement applications
PARALINK® PARAGRID® PARADRAIN® achieving a strength of up to 200kN/m. ParaDrain®, due to a non-woven
bandelette attached to the straps, allows for a faster dissipation of pore
water pressure when soils such as clay or fly ash are used as a structural
material. The ParaProducts are certified by the BBA (British Board
Agreement).

See page 13 for ParaWeb®

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FlexMesh® FlexMesh® consists of hexagonal double twist woven mesh manufactured

from mild steel wire*, transversely reinforced at regular intervals with steel
rods and, on one side of the wire mesh panel, lined with a pre-attached
geotextile for separation. FlexMesh® is typically used for emergency
roadways, temporary roadway stabilisation and permanent basal
reinforcement applications such as industrial foundations on soft soils.
FLEXMESH®

Pre-attached
MacTex
GeoTextile

Double twist
wire mesh

Transverse
reinforcing
steel rod

b = 80mm

RoadMesh® RoadMesh® is typically used as a reinforcement from the sub-base to the

wearing coarse of asphalt pavements, consists of double twist woven mesh
manufactured from heavily galvanised mild steel wire*, and is transversely
reinforced at regular intervals with steel rods. RoadMesh® is also used
for basal reinforcement applications such as industrial foundations on soft
soils.
ROADMESH®

Transverse
reinforcing
steel rod

Double twist
wire mesh

b = 80mm

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Rockfall Barriers Rockfall Barriers are able to resist a maximum impact load of between
500kJ and 8600kJ depending on the type of barrier. This system has the
catch net downhill of the posts. The posts act independently from the net.
If a post is hit by a falling rock and damaged, then the remaining posts take
the additional forces, ensuring that the catching performance of the system
is not compromised. During impact, the system ensures that the energy
RMC ROCKFALL of the falling rock is dispiated and the rock is prevented from moving any
BARRIERS
further. The height of the barrier ranges from 3m - 8m, and the optimum
barrier length is between 30m and 70m, with the minimum length being
30m. The barrier has been designed and produced to comply with the UNI
EN ISO 9001 standard.

HEA PanelsTM The HEA (High Energy Absorption) PanelTM is a rectangular panel made of
square meshes manufactured from a single continuous high strength rope
as shown in Figure 1. The rope is tightly fastened at the crossing points
by steel knots (see Figure 2), which are made by two bindings, each one
obtained by looping a pair of steel 3.0mmØ wires. The steel knots are
coated with Galfan Zn 95AI5.
HEA PANEL™

In certain applications, the panel can be further

strengthened by inserting a perimeter rope. Figure 2
A Figure 1

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Steelgrid® HR Maccaferri has developed SteelGrid ® HR mesh, an innovative

composite steel mesh providing both high strength and stiffness.
SteelGrid ® HR consists of woven double twist steel mesh (2.7 mm,
Mesh Type 80) where the conventional selvedge wires are replaced
by 8mm diameter steel ropes. Additional high tensile 8mm steel
wire ropes are longitudinally interweaved into the woven mesh
STEELGRID®HR to improve the properties of the system. Steelgrid ® HR mesh is
available in three variants HR 30, HR 50 and HR 100 as shown in
Table 1 and in two different coatings (HR for Galfan and HR-PVC).
The Steelgrid ® HR mesh can be provided as a kit with all the
necessary components for the installation (see Table 2) and its
use is suggested in a wide variety of specialist geotechnical and
engineering applications including slope stabilisation, rockfall
protection and surface protection applications.

TABLE 1

TABLE 2

MacForce MacForce is the T-shaped concrete panel mechanically stabilised earth

wall (MSEW) that forms part of the Soil Reinforced Structures on offer
by Maccaferri SA. This technology focuses on providing a retaining wall
solution, based on soil reinforced materials, that obey friction criteria to
develop a gravity structure. The MacForce System is better suited in mining
operations where loads are generally very high or in very high walls, with
MACFORCE simple geometry and gentle curvatures. This is due mainly to it's bigger
sized panels, lesser soil reinforcement per square meter of wall and a more
complex panel interlocking.

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MacRes® MacRes® is the square shaped concrete panel mechanically stabilised

earth wall (MSEW) that forms part of the Soil Reinforced Structures on
offer by Maccaferri SA. This technology focuses on providing a retaining
wall solution, based on soil reinforced materials that obey friction criteria to
develop a gravity structure. Though it is suitable for use in industrial, mining
and marine applications, its versatility and higher vertical flexibility, is even
MACRES® more suited for complex geometry structures such as road embankments
and more aesthetically demanding retaining structures in public areas like
shopping centres and office parks. It has proved itself well able to perform
under high loads and in robust situations and for critical structures, where
durability and reliability are required.

The panel facing can also be offered in

patterned architectural fisnishes on special
client request.

ParaWeb® ParaWeb® strips are planar structures consisting of a core of high-tenacity

polyester yarn tendons encased in a polyethylene sheath. The strips
are suitable for reinforcement applications in combination with concrete
MacForce and MacRes® panels.

PARAWEB®

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Sack Gabions Sack Gabion units are manufactured from a Type 80 double twist hexagonal woven
wire mesh consisting of a single mesh panel laced to form a cylindrical unit.
Sack Gabions are filled with rock at the project site to form flexible, permeable,
monolithic structures used for emergency and river training works, where local
conditions require fast installation or the water does not allow easy access to the
site (underwater installations).
SACK GABIONS

D
L

Articulated Concrete Block Mattress (ACBM)

Articulated Concrete Block Mattresses (ACBMs) consists of a mattress of individual con-
crete blocks, of a specific shape, secured together with cables. The flexible mattress
conforms to the shape of the pipeline or sea-bed. The major innovation introduced into
ARTICULATED
CONCRETE this field is the ability to produce the ACBMs directly at the place of final delivery due to
BLOCK MATTRESS a patented mobile formwork. This results in a significant decrease in the time and cost of
(ACBM)
transport minimising environmental impact. The lifting is carried out using a frame which
connects to the lifting loops made from polypropylene ropes. The high degree of flexibility
allows the mattress to bend without compromising its integrity.

MacTube® MacTube® is constructed of high-strength woven geotextile fabrics that are extremely
strong and durable. MacTube® can be used in the design of coastal protection, offering
minimal impact to the environment, while providing a cost effective alternative to hard
armoured structures. The MacTube® offers maximum versatility and ease of use for all
your de-watering needs. They are a cost-effective alternative to the belt-press method
of de-watering sludge and eliminate the need for expensive capital expenditures for
MACTUBE®
equipment. The MacTube® is filled through a reinforced port using a hydraulic dredge
pump. The porosity of the geotextile fabrics allows excess water to drain from the tube
resulting in an effective and relatively inexpensive method of de-watering.

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Software
MacStARS™ W
The MacStars™ W software assists in the design
of Reinforced Soil Structures (RSS), Mechanically
Stabilised Earth Walls (MSEW), Mass Gravity Walls as
well as natural slopes. A wide library of products assist the
user to chose the right products along with the principle
stability analysis: global, internal, sliding, overturning,
bearing capacity and settlement analysis. MacStars™
W incorporates the most common design standards with
the equilibrium method.
Macra 1™ - Bank Protection
Water channels and river sections can be analysed using
the Macra 1™ - Bank Protection software. Common
soils and products are part of a wide library which allow
user-specified parameters. The analysis is checked in
respect of flow velocity, shear stresses developed on the
lining and flow velocity underneath the linings to check
possible under-scour phenomena.
Macra 2™ - Weirs
Macra 2™ was developed to provide the user with a rapid
and efficient tool to design vertical (dropped), stepped
and sloped (spillway) weirs. The general design criteria
makes the data input and the output intuitive for most of
the gabions weirs.
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GawacWin™
The GawacWin™ program was developed to provide
designers with a quick and reliable tool to analyse and
verify mass-gravity gabion walls in accordance with the
mechanical characteristics of gabions manufactured by
the Maccaferri Group. The user-friendly interface allows
GawacWin to be one of the best software platforms to check
mass-gravity gabion walls.
MACRO STUDIO
Macro Studio is a user friendly software for designing of
rockfall protection nettings that can be customized for
implementing different joint and face geometries. It enables
engineers to rehabilitate an unstable rock slope surface
by simple and secured drapery systems using Maccaferri
products.
MACREAD 2.0 AASHTO
MACREAD (MACcaferri Road Equivalent Assistant for
Design) software is used to select appropriate Macca-
ferri geogrids to meet the project demands, optimising the
structure and cost efficiency. The software MACREAD is
a program for the design of flexible and semi-rigid pave-
ments based on the empirical method “AASHTO Guide for
Design of Pavement Structures” (1993). The program
allows you to calculate the correct MacGrid® to use to opti-
mize the road structure. MACREAD is an essential tool for
pavement designers to optimise the design to allow the full
utlisation of MacGrid®.
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production, certified internal management and
technical assistance in compliance with ISO 9001 & ISO 14001

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Fax: 087 742 2749
e-mail: jhbsales@maccaferri.co.za
MACCAFERRI SA (PTY) LTD
HEAD OFFICE - DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA: CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA:
P O Box 815, New Germany, 3620 Fax: +27 (0) 21 788 1204
e-mail: cptsales@maccaferri.co.za
National Tel: 087 742 2710
International Tel: +27 (0) 31 705 0500 EAST LONDON, SOUTH AFRICA:
Fax: 087 742 2734 Fax: +27 (0) 43 736 6492
e-mail: dbnsales@maccaferri.co.za e-mail: ecsales@maccaferri.co.za
P O Box 236, Dolphin Coast, 4404 Mobile: +256 773375493
Tel: +27 (0) 32 944 3898 Mobile: +256 922462838
Fax: +27 (0) 32 944 2711 e-mail: filippo.guidi@maccaferri.co.za
e-mail: dbnsales@maccaferri.co.za
MADAGASCAR:
BP 168, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar
Tel: +261 20 22 231 02
Fax: +261 20 22 553 90
e-mail: maccaferri@moov.mg

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ZAF / Product Guide: Eng - Rev. 03, July 2013 - Maccaferri SA (Pty) Ltd, Durban, South Africa - Designed by: Michelle Neermal