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Howdy All
I have been trying to nut my way through building some steps with gabion wall bases and timber tops. I almost have it but there is a difference in heigh between steps of 10-20mm. The rules states the height should be consistant with the depth and the height.
For my example the height is 170mm and the depth is 300mm (I coppied from my front concrete steps)
The gal mesh I am using is 50mm by 50mm (locks me into certain meausurements)
I am not too concerned with the overall depth of the steps as it can be accomodated. It also matches the steel mesh I have.
First step no issues, second step and issues of height turn up..
Once I started extrapolating it did my head in. The figure above the blocks is what it should be, the figure in brackets is what it will be due to the limitations of the mesh sizing.
The figures on the left are what should be, brackets are what will be and the plus/minus difference in height over what it should be.
The gabion basket retaining wall size. The house wall is on the left.
Gabion basket being built (upside down atm)
Gabion basket up the right way waiting for the ties to be put into place, will have 3 or 4 all up as its a Large basket.
The steps will be on the right hand side of the mesh.
Going through the question this morning I am wondering if I try and limit the height of the timber tread to 50mm (the timber is 40mm thick, the timber spacer under it is 20mm which then matches up with another timer spacer under the mesh to screw through to) Then I can have a consistant height of the steps without the 70mm causing the issue. I think I have answered my question lol The first spacer under the timber is to lock them together, maybe I should use steel plate or something else thats only 10mm but solid mmmm
Any ideas or suggestions, and yeah I can change anything at this point (bar the existing large basket size) as I decide to ketch it out first before cutting mesh.
Dave
Hello @Dave-1
In theory if you copied your original step sizes it should technically work. I drew a quick render below, please have a quick look and tell me what you think. I suggest bending or cutting the mesh to your needed size rather than accommodating the mesh. This should make your step building less troublesome.
What timber were you planning to use? If you were to use a thinner piece like 40mm, it would lower the steps and make the step assembly shorter. The common timber tread available at the store is the 240 x 45mm 1.2m Stair Tread H3 Treated Pine Domestic Use.
If you need further assistance, please let me know.
Eric
Thank you @EricL
Yeah that sketch is pretty much what my ideal would be, The only problem is the ground level is mostly flat tho I can have a step up into the hill or dig some more out. Putting a cage on hand tamped soil can be done but id rather not. The only place I had to do it is under one of the big gabion cages across the front yard and it dropped maybe an inch in 2 ish years.
The mesh I have is 50mm by 50mm squares so the step height has to follow the 100mm or 150mm plus timber tread and work in multiples going up the steps.
With the timber treads I was going to make up the treads the same style as my bench seat for the gabion bench.
I have plenty of old hardwood and want to use it for a similar look
The timber pieces are there to give a levelness to the overall bench and also to allow for the spirals to be would on (in this instance)
The steps are going to be around 800mm wide, maybe a little more. The intention is to drill a hole (and countersink) through the lengths, through the spacer and through the piece under the mess and then use a screw bolt to go down through all three. Or to give me that magic 50mm timber height for the step I find some flat steel bar with holes through it as long as the bar is close to 10mm (or 5mm) That way I can build the steps with the timber washer on the underside of the mesh, then come back and install the steps all the way up.
Might try and show a mockup if its still sunlight out when i get home.
Dave
Evening @EricL
Here is my mockup of the steps. The more I look at it and do the maths the mo9re I think If i keep to the 50mm tread height then I can make it work eaiser. I may raise the steps to 200mm height with a 300mm depth. Will do a mockup tomorrow of that. It will decrease the overall depth into the hill. I just need to see where the top most step will work out that way.
So to make sense of the mock up.
50mm square mesh.
Steps work out to be 170mm high 100mm of mesh and 70mm of timber step. Mock up has 100mm of mesh and 45mm of timber step.
Steps are 300mm deep.
Second step 300mm of square mesh and 45mm of Timber, On the first step you can see two of 50mm mesh and then the timber step, If I have a timber slat under the three pieces of timber it raises it by another 22mm
Sorry the third step is blury but you can still count the 50mm square mesh of 600mm and 45mm of timber
8 of 50mm squares and 45mm timber step. (445mm)
10 of 50mm square mesh and 45mm timber step (545mm high)
300mm depth of step (top of step looking down)
Where the steps will go.
If you can imagine the excess mesh not being there the steps seem to be to low, If I make each step 150mm of mesh with a top of 50mm timber it may work better, will trial that later in the week (just busy in the afternoon the next few days)
Note - Spot the mistake!! First step to second step I have added an extra 100mm block in by mistake. The rest of the steps are the right ratios.
Dave
Hi @Dave-1
The mock up looks quite good, but I suppose the real test is when you place the timber on top. I'm not so sure about making the step higher as a shorter step lends to less tripping and catching your toe on the step. My only thoughts are to get as close as you can to the original height of 170mm.
Eric
Afternoon All and @EricL
I reconfigured the step sizes twice, once in my head and once after I cut out the design (way to short a depth of the step at 200mm) I enlarge the step depth to 250mm and the height of the step to 200mm.
I really felt comfortable with the sizing as I put it together
I was wondering how to put it together as I fill it up, All the vertical panels are installed with tie wires front to back to stop the sides from bowing out as I fill the cage and with time as it settles.
Sitting on place (could pick the whole lot up very easily) tho need to level the clay a little as Ive taken too much away.
Placed some timber on the steps to show where they will be. The timber I will be using is 45mm thick tho.
To show the tie wires and how it will stop the bowing.
Next week onwards to filling the steps up with broken concrete pathway, I have 3 stockpiles of rocks so hopefully with have enough for this and the large gabion retaining wall basket to the left., 
Dave
