International Journal of Engineering Research ISSN:2319-6890 (online),2347-5013(print)

Volume No.7, Issue Special 3, pp : 223-226 11-12 Jan. 2018

Study of Laterite Stone as Building Material

Nisha Maklurˡ, Dr. Parag Narkhede2

¹Student of M. Arch, Environmental Architecture, DYPSOA, Lohegaon Pune
²Adjunct Professor M. Arch, Environmental Architecture, DYPSOA, Lohegaon Pune
Email: nisha.maklur@gmail.com, parag114@gmail.com

Abstract: The paper deals with understanding of laterite as a construction cost and drive towards locally available material
building material and study of their various properties. have fuelled a demand for this product in recent years. The
Observations of the structures built in laterite blocks would basic properties of laterite should be studied. This will thus
be the part of the study. The research aimed at providing
help in understanding it better as building material. Laterite
appropriate use of laterite as a building material. The rising
construction cost and drive towards locally available is found in the region of mean annual temperature of 23 to 26-
material have fuelled a demand for this product in recent degree C and rainfall 1200 to 4000 mm and with the number
years. The basic properties of laterite should be studied. This of rainy months 8 to 10. Laterite can occur at every altitude
will thus help in understanding it better as a building from sea level to about 2500 m. A considerable area of the
material. The method used for research was survey and former cultivated land is covered by laterite.
observation analysis. Literature reviews, interviews and case
study based inferences and findings showed that Laterite is
found in tropical regions and the structures built in laterite
are mostly of load bearing. The study also showed that
laterite can be considered as a very good construction
material for building various structure like residential
buildings, bridges etc.
Keywords:
Laterite stone, chemical properties of laterite,
characteristics of laterite, types of laterite, laterite sizes,
uses of laterites in construction.
1. Introduction
Laterite is a residual ferruginous rock, commonly found in
tropical regions and has close genetic association with
bauxite. The term ‘laterite’ was originally used for highly
ferruginous deposits first observed in Malabar Region of
coastal Kerala and Dakshin Kannad and other parts of
Karnataka. It is a highly weathered material, rich in secondary
oxides of iron, aluminium or both. It is either hard or capable MAP 1. Map showing locations where laterite
of hardening on exposure to moisture and drying. Aluminous stones are found.
laterites and ferruginous laterite are quite common. Laterite is
found in various parts of India, where it is extensively used as
2. Classification
building material in regions of Kerela, Goa, Karnataka and
Laterites are formed from the leaching of parent sedimentary
Andra Pradesh. Lateritic soils are formed in the tropics
rocks. They belong to Non-transported sedimentary rock
through weathering processes that favour the
category. They are formed in in-situ conditions. The
formation of iron, aluminium, manganese and titanium oxides.
mechanism of leaching involves acid dissolving the host
These processes break down silicate minerals into clay
mineral lattice, followed by hydrolysis and precipitation of
minerals such as kaolinite and elite. Iron and aluminium
insoluble oxides and sulphates of iron, aluminium and silica
oxides are prominent in lateritic soils, and with the seasonal
under the high temperature conditions of a humid subtropical
fluctuation of the water table, these oxides result in the
monsoon climate. The term laterite first appeared in
reddish-brown colour that is seen in lateritic soils.
scientific literature a little over hundred and fifty years ago.
These soils have served for a long time as major and sub-base
The word ‘laterite’ was suggested by Buchanan (1807) to
materials for the construction of most highways and walls of
denote a building material used in mountain regions of
residential houses in tropical and sub-tropical countries of the
Malabar (India). He named it laterite from the Latin word
world. Laterite is a building material which can be used in
later, which means a brick; this rock can easily be cut into
construction from flooring to roof construction. The rising
brick shaped blocks for building (Norton, 2000). Buchanan

DOI : 10.5058/2319-6890.2018.00063.6 NCETA@2018 Page 223

 International Journal of Engineering Research ISSN:2319-6890 (online),2347-5013(print)
Volume No.7, Issue Special 3, pp : 223-226 11-12 Jan. 2018

observed a type of weathered material used for building, Laterites vary in colour, but are usually bright. The shades
which was an indurated clay with full of cavities and pores, most frequently encountered are pink, ochre, red and brown,
containing a large quantity of iron in the form of red and but some occurrence mottled and streaked with violet, and
yellow ochre. Its appearance is that of a ferruginous deposit of others exhibit green marbling. A single sample may exhibit a
vesicular structure, apparently unstratified and occurring not whole range of colours merging more or less perceptibly into
far below the surface. When fresh it can readily be cut into one another in variety of patterns and forms. Laterites owe
regular blocks with a cutting tool. On exposure to the air it their colours to iron oxides in various states of hydration and
rapidly hardens and becomes highly resistant to weathering. sometimes also to manganese. Iron compound yields a grey-
Because of these properties it is frequently used as a building black colour and manganese compound a velvety black in a
material comparable to bricks. reducing medium, while in an oxidizing medium iron yields
ochre, red or black, and manganese violet.

Fig.1 Showing different colours in laterite

3.4 Types of laterite

Laterite can be differentiated into two types: Aluminous
Laterites and Ferruginous Laterites. The laterite in which the
content of Alumina is more is known as Aluminous laterites
and in which the content of iron is more is known as
Ferruginous laterites. Ferruginous laterites are higher in
density, are more dark than aluminous and can be considered
Chart 1 showing classification of laterite
as a good building material.
3. Characteristics of laterite
3.1 Indurated occurrence Table 1 showing characteristics of laterite stone
Newbold (1844) gives the following description (cited from
Prescott and Pendletom,1952):’The laterite of Beder,
generally speaking, is a purplish or brick-red, porous rock,
passing into brown perforated by numerous sinuous and
tortuous tubular cavities either empty, filled, or partially filled
with a greyish-white clay passing into an ochreous, reddish
and yellow-brown dust. The sides of the cavities are usually
ferruginous and often of deep brown or chocolate colour. The
hardest varieties of the rock are the darkest coloured, and most
ferruginous. The softness of this rock is such that it may be
4. Chemical properties
cut with spade; hardening by exposure to the sun and air.
Mature laterites are made up primarily of iron, aluminium,
3.2 Structure silica, titanium and water. Generally, laterites are poor in
Laterites are greatly in structure, but can be reduced to the alkali and alkaline earth metals. The average composition of
following three structural patterns: (a) the indurated elements typical laterites is as follows:
form a continuous, coherent skeleton; (b) the indurated H2O-with large quantities of alumina, the combined water in
elements are free concretions or nodules in an earthy matrix; laterite varies from 20-30%
(c) the indurated elements cement pre-existing materials. Al2O3-In general, Al2O3 forms the most abundant constituent
in laterite varying from 50 60 %. With an enrichment of iron
3.3 Colour or Quartz, the alumina content is lowered.

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 International Journal of Engineering Research ISSN:2319-6890 (online),2347-5013(print)
Volume No.7, Issue Special 3, pp : 223-226 11-12 Jan. 2018

Fe2O3-The content of Fe2O3 may vary considerably, ranging  In manual operation, the stone is then cut
from 35 to 80%. along these markings using pickaxes and crow bars. In a semi-
SiO2-In typical laterite the SiO2 will be very low. mechanized mine, the mechanized plough is used to cut along
TiO2-Generally the TiO2 content in laterites are high about the markings.
2%. Though, it may be completely lacking in some cases. • The waste rock is collected using spades
and carried to the side of the quarry in cane or metal baskets.
Table 2 showing physical properties of laterite • The stone is then loaded on to trucks. The
stones are further dressed as per the mason’s requirements at
the construction site.

5.2 Tools used

Laterite is sized and then cut into blocks and used for
construction of walls and houses. These blocks are generally
in the size of 35 x 28 x 15 cms. There are two types of
operations observed: those are totally manual and those that
have limited mechanization. The former use pickaxes,
5. Case study
pickaxes are modified with a flat blade, spades and metal
Visit to Laterite Stone Quarry in Goa
Nearly two third of Goa is covered with mantles of baskets. The overburden is removed manually too. In a limited
laterites ranging in thickness from couple of meters to 25 mechanical quarry, same tools are used but they are
meters. The laterites in Goa occur as plateau (higher level) supplemented by motorized hand ploughs to which a wheel
and as detrital (lower level) laterites throughout the length and cutter is attached.
breadth of Goa. The stone quarry was located in Bicholim
area. These rock have special significance in Goa as they
serve both as building material and as good water bearing 5.3Laterite sizes
formation. Laterite blocks are available in different sizes of:
390 x 190 x 190mm
490 x 190 x 190mm
5.1 Steps involved in quarrying of laterite 590 x 190 x 190mm
Laterite blocks are soft for easy quarrying and shaping, but
they become hard when exposed to atmospheric oxygen. The
ease of cutting and shaping laterite and hardening with age
due to
atmospheric exposure makes its use different and versatile in
building applications
• Removal of overburden either using simple tools in
manual operation or through the use of bulldozers in
semi- mechanized quarries. The overburden is then
stacked by the side of the quarries.
• The Laterite slab is then sized in situ using long nails and
strings. Fig.2 showing different sizes of laterite stone

6. Use of Laterite as building material

6.1 Laterite interlocking blocks
Laterite stone have traditionally used after directly extraction
from the naturally occurring laterite sources, after which they
are cut into bricklike shapes for use as walling units. Recently,
there has been advancement in using laterite in the form of
interlocking bricks used to construct walls without the use of
cement mortar. Laterite stone is ground and filtered using a
sieve, which is then mixed with 5% cement mixture and a
chemical setting agent. This mixture is then machine
compressed to form high density interlocking bricks. They are
Chart 1 showing chemical composition of laterite manufactured in two widths of 6 inches and 8 inches; and are
also available in varying lengths. Each interlocking brick has
grooves and locks on its sides which can be fitted with each

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 International Journal of Engineering Research ISSN:2319-6890 (online),2347-5013(print)
Volume No.7, Issue Special 3, pp : 223-226 11-12 Jan. 2018

other to form a block wall that does not need cement mortar 7.Analysis
for bonding. They have lower embodied energy due to use of • The use of laterite is cost effective as compared to
natural locally available materials- stone and wood. The only concrete blocks.
energy spent is in transportation of materials. The high • Reduces cost of plastering and painting.
recyclability factor – especially in case of interlocking blocks • Reduces heat within the house.
which don’t use connecting mortar is a bonus. • Soft when quarried hardens on exposure.
• Requires skilled workmanship.
6.2 Structures in Goa built in laterite • Porosity of laterite stones is more than bricks. Thus load
• Load bearing structures are constructed using laterite bearing structure of laterite masonry cannot be more than
blocks. double storey.
• Many churches in Goa are built in laterite stone and • The darker the laterite, the harder, heavier and more
Plastered with lime mortar. resistant to moisture it.
• The Vice Roy arch is built in laterite except for the
façade on the river side which is which is facetted with 8.Conclusion
greenish laterite. The historic monument built by Portuguese Laterite can support the demand of building material in
in Goa. sustainable way. These materials can be used to contribute to
• The Patto bridge is fine piece of architecture with solving the problem of affordable housing by encouraging
roman style arches completely built in laterite stone research on local materials and by implementing efficient
• Laterite is used for making various landscape training programs on the use of earth-based construction. It is
elements. economic, as the final cost of the construction can be reduced
• The brick is soft and lumpy but they create rustic with local material utilization.
beauty. Laterite stone can be considered ecological, for reduction of
nuisances and pollution related to cement and steel
production.
It also reduces energetic costs due to better thermal insulation
performances.

References
i. Lyall Addleson.: 1972, Materials for Building, Iliffe Books,
London.
ii. Alan Everett.:1970, Materials, B T Batsford Ltd, Great
Britain.
iii. N.Chenna Kesavallu.:2009,Textbook of Engineering
Geology, Macmillan Publishers, India.

Web sources
Fig.3 Vice Roy Arch, constructed in laterite stone, Goa.
i. Web page without author info”: Available from: Open
Source
Repositoryhttp://dyuthi.cusat.ac.in/xmlui/bitstream/handle/purl/
1 749/Dyuthi-T0135.pdf?sequence=5(10 March 2014)
ii. Web page without author info”: Available from: Open
Source
Repositoryhttp://www.pland.gov/pland_en/tech_doc/hkpsg/full/c
h4 _text.htm (20th January 2015)
iii. Web page without author info”: Available from: Open
Source
Repositoryhttps://www.google.co.in/webhp?hl=en#hl=en&q=la
terite+as+building+material(20th January 2015)
iv. Web page without author info”: Available from: Open
Source
Repositoryhttps://www.google.co.in/webhp?hl=en#hl=en&q=la
terite+as+building+material(20th January 2015)

Fig.5 Landscape elements made of laterite.

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