Evaluation of Engineering Properties of Laterite Blocks for Construction Purposes from Selected Zones of Coastal Karnataka Region—A Case Study

Laterite rocks are utilized for constructing buildings in subtropics as well as tropical places wherein laterites are available everywhere easily and are cheaper than natural rocks. Laterites found on the west coast of India are generally utilized to construct historical monuments like temples, churches, forts and houses. Lateritic soil and blocks are abundant, cost-efficient, energy effective and eco-friendly construction material in the coastal Karnataka area of Indian subcontinent; therefore, it is a go-to material for present-day constructions. This research intends to feature the engineering characteristics of laterite blocks from 15 quarries of Coastal Karnataka for construction purposes depending upon its laboratory evaluation along with classification of laterite stones based on their strength characteristics. Freshly quarried stones were procured a month before the experiments commenced. This research involves examination of the lateritic blocks for building purposes where the intrinsic characteristics of colour and hardness were examined. The geotechnical characteristics of lateritic blocks recently extracted from the laterite quarry are explored. The mechanical and physical characteristics of laterites were found to be reliant on the integral features of the quarry. Depending upon the depth and location of the quarry, the properties varied significantly. The study also showed that laterite stones from a few quarries can be regarded as a great building material for constructing various structures like residences, monuments, bridges, etc.