Laterite

Laterite is a soil layer that is rich in iron oxide and derived from a wide variety of rocks weathering under strongly oxidizing and leaching conditions. It forms in tropical and sub tropical regions where the climate is humid. It is a reddish weathering product of basalt. Laterites are rusty-red in color because of high iron oxide content.

Laterite is well known in Asian countries as a building material for more than 1000 years. It was excavated from the soil and cut in form of large blocks.

Uses and benefits of laterite

Uses :

• Used as a building material. Strong, hardened varieties of laterite are sometimes cut into blocks and used as brickstones for building houses.
• Laterites are economically most important for ore deposits, such as bauxite.
• Hardened laterite varieties are also applied for the construction of simple roads.
• Nowadays solid lateritic gravel is readily put in aquaria where it favours the growth of tropical plants.
• In artifacts, monuments, sculpture, oil and gas reservoir, decoration etc.
• Laterite- cement blocks are more economical building units for walling units.

Benefits:

• More economical
• Durability
• Strength
• Sustainability