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org ISSN 0974-5904, Volume 05, No. 03 (01) June 2012, P.P. 518-523

Characteristics of Malabar Laterite as a Building Material Field and Laboratory Studies

KASTHURBA. A. K Department of Architecture, NIT Calicut, India Email: kasthurba@nitc.ac.in
Abstract: This paper describes a comprehensive investigation of laterite from four representative quarries in Malabar region of Kerala, to assess its quality as a building material. The objective of this work is to characterize laterite from major quarries of Malabar region in western India for building purposes based on field and laboratory studies. An attempt has been made in this study to bring out a basis for selection of laterite for construction purposes from quarries based on its morphological and textural features. A schematic model showing morphological and textural variation of laterite at different levels of the profile and its effect on engineering properties has been brought out to simplify the selection of laterite for building purpose from quarries. The impact of morphological characteristics of laterite based on engineering properties is explained with the help of schematic models. Keywords: laterite, building material, engineering properties, morphological characteristics Introduction: Laterite stone blocks are being used as prime material for architectural applications in Malabar region of western India for ages, because of being abundant, relatively easy to cut and shape and showing good performance in many applications. Due to the wide variations in appearance (colour, texture and structure) of laterite, it is often challenging for the engineers to identify and select laterite for building applications. Testing of laterite is cumbersome, due to the laborious specimen preparation procedures. An attempt has been made in this study to bring out a basis for selection of laterite for construction purposes from quarries based on its morphological and textural features. The objective of this work is to characterize laterite from major quarries of Malabar region in western India for building purposes based on field and laboratory studies. Selection of Quarries: The Malabar region consists of northern part of Kerala State, located in west coast of India between 7430 E to 77E longitude and 10N to 1230 N latitude Representative laterite quarries were identified and selected from regions popular for laterite mining (based on large volume of quarrying) from Malabar region of Kerala. Four widely scattered active quarries were selected for the study, based on the large volume of laterite mining. Selected quarries were in a widely scattered area located in 3 districts of Kerala namely, Kannur, Kozhikode and Malappuram, as shown in Fig. 1. Laterite from these quarries were identified and named after their respective quarry regions as, UL Ulikkal and PTA - Panayathamparampa from Kannur district, MU - Muchukunnu from Kozhikode district and PM - Perinkulam from Malappuram district. The in-situ characteristics of laterite like colour, texture, structure, hardness and morphological variations with depth of a profile were studied. Freshly quarried laterite blocks as supplied commercially, were sampled from different depths of each quarry. Engineering properties of laterite significant for its building application such as compressive strength, specific gravity and water absorption of were determined in the laboratory using standard procedures.

UL PTA MU
UL- Ulikkal PTAPanayathamparamba MU- Muchukunnu PM- Perinkulam

PM

Figure 1: Map Showing Location of Selected Quarries in Three Districts of Kerala

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Field Investigations: Investigations were carried out on exposed laterite quarry profiles by examining the exposed vertical face. Distinct zones of morphological and textural variations were measured by tape and examined in the field with the help of an expert geologist. The hardness of different strata was measured using a Type P pendulum hammer (Proceq, 2005) at accessible locations. Readings were noted at 5 points, 50 cm apart along the horizontal plane at various levels as shown in Fig. 2. Specimens were collected in the form of standard size blocks (390x190x190mm.) as per Indian standard codes for laterite stone masonry (IS 3620, 1979). Scratch test was conducted on specimen fragment (iron concretions) to determine the hardness based on mineral composition represented by the Moh scale of hardness (Reddy, 1996). The marked laterite block specimens were sealed and brought to laboratory for comprehensive characterization as a building material.

Figure 3: Compressive Strength Testing of Laterite Blocks Large lumps were taken from the crushed specimen (after failure) to determine the physical properties, namely, specific gravity and water absorption as per standards (IS 1124-1974). Crushed aggregates passing through 40 mm and retained in 20 mm Indian standard sieve were used to determine physical properties. Results and Discussion: Textural variations, and the sample locations, are shown in Fig. 4. The depth wise variation in field characteristics and engineering properties are reported in Table1. The average values of 3 specimens are reported for each test. Detailed investigation was carried out for typical MU quarry profile to determine its field characteristics and geo-morphological variations.

Figure 2: Pendulum Hammer Reading being taken on the Exposed Face of the Laterite Quarry Laboratory Investigations: The compressive strength of laterite blocks of standard size were determined as per standards (ASTM C 170, 1990). Dressed and capped specimens were tested in saturated condition by loading in the direction perpendicular to the bedding plane until failure, as shown in Fig. 3.

Characteristics of a Typical Laterite Profile (MU Profile): The typical MU quarry selected for the study had a total depth of 5.2 m. Samples was taken from various depths of 1.8, 3.0 and 5.2 m from the top. Megascopic study was conducted using hand lens to study the structural and textural features. Microscopic study (thin section analysis) of the specimen was also conducted to determine the mineral composition and its distribution in the matrix using a polarised microscope. The megascopic features and photomicrograph of the specimens from different strata of MU profile is given in Table 2.

International Journal of Earth Sciences and Engineering ISSN 0974-5904, Vol. 05, No. 03 (01), June 2012, pp. 518-523

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Characteristics of Malabar Laterite as a Building Material Field and Laboratory Studies

Table 2: Megascopic and Microscopic Features of Mu Laterite Profile Dept h (m) 1.8 Megascopic Study Image Analysis Remarks Dark brown to dark red, with yellow colour lining in the cavities Microscopic Study Photomicrograph (40X) Remarks Ferruginous dense iron matrix with quartz grains embedded in it. Denotes highly matured laterite The matrix is essentially ferruginous. The matrix is more porous in nature

3.0

Dark red to brown ferruginous materials filled with yellowish white clay

5.2

Red to pink streaks of iron minerals in a matrix of kaolinite mainly white and light yellow in colour

Dominated by the presence of clay minerals. Iron minerals are in the formation stage seen as thin channels in the clay matrix

UL-Ulikkal; PTA- Panayathamparampa; MU- Muchukunnu; PM- Perinkulam Figure 4: Textural Variations and Sample Locations of Laterite Profile of Selected Quarries

International Journal of Earth Sciences and Engineering ISSN 0974-5904, Vol. 05, No. 03 (01), June 2012, pp. 518-523

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Morphological Variations of Laterite Profile and Their Influence on Engineering Properties: Based on scientific investigation of four representative quarries from predominant sources of laterite supply in Malabar region, it was found that laterite of different grades (based on compressive strength) were obtained from the same quarry from various depths. A schematic model has been brought out to simplify the selection of laterite for building purpose from quarries (based on morphological features of laterite within a profile). A schematic model showing morphological and textural variation of laterite at different levels of the profile and its effect on engineering properties (strength, hardness, specific gravity and water absorption are explained in Fig. 4. Top portions of the profile contain high quantity of iron in crystalline and continuous form, resulting in dense

packing. It is evident that higher compressive strength and hardness of laterite from top layer of profile was due to the tight fit of iron mineral fabric. The dense ferruginous matrix offered high degree of resistance to failure. PM laterite belongs to this textural category, as shown in Fig. 5A. This laterite is often referred as matured type (by masons). MU laterite (Fig. 5B) has similar chemical composition and but shows variation in micro-texture due to embedding of quartz grains in the ferruginous matrix. PTA laterite belongs to the mottled variety where the ferruginous crystalline fabric is present as mottles/ streaks aligned in a clay matrix, as shown in Fig. 5C. This laterite is not matured; the ferruginous mottles attain continuity and induration by several wetting and drying cycles during the laterisation process. UL laterite is of intermediate type where the texture is a combination of mottled type and vermicular type.

Figure 5: Schematic Diagram Depicting the Morphological Variation in Specimens from different Depths within a Quarry

International Journal of Earth Sciences and Engineering ISSN 0974-5904, Vol. 05, No. 03 (01), June 2012, pp. 518-523

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Characteristics of Malabar Laterite as a Building Material Field and Laboratory Studies

Analysis of Results: The investigation of laterite for building purpose from Malabar region reveals that laterite shows a wide variation of engineering properties based on the geographic location and also within a quarry with depth. Hence, is not possible to define strength of laterite based on a region or quarry. However, a general guideline of selection of laterite for building purposes may be adopted based on this study. Even though profiles apparently appear unstratified, the morphological variations with depth can be distinguished by a close megascopic study. The thickness of concretionary laterite (suitable for building purpose) varies highly based on the region and depending on the formation. There is no good correlation between rebound number values obtained and the hardness categorization presented in Table 1. Presence of irregular cavities and clay filled pores in laterite may be the reason for the disparity in the hardness values by rebound number. Hence field evaluation of laterite using pendulum hammer may not suitable for laterite. The hard ferruginous vermicular laterite, dark reddish brown to red colour, occurs in the top portion of the profile, possesses high strength, specific gravity and low water absorption. This top portion of laterite, found to possess less clay content (yellowish white to white colour), can be categorised as good quality for building purposes. Specific gravity and compressive strength decrease with depth. The increase in water absorption of specimens with depth is seen in all laterite profiles. This may be attributed to the increase in clay content (Kaolinite) with depth as identified by the megascopic and microscopic study of the specimens presented in Table 2 (for MU). The decrease in strength and increase in water absorption with depth leads to a decline in the quality of laterite blocks of the deeper layers. This characteristic feature is common in all the four profiles studied. The high specific gravity and hardness of samples from top layers may be attributed to the presence of large quantity of iron (heavy minerals) in the top layers as seen by the megascopic studies. The dense and dark colour of laterite specimens from the top indicates the presence of mafic ferruginous minerals (goethite, magnetite and hematite) as seen from the megascopic study. However, a minor deviation in this trend is observed in the behaviour of samples from top layers of PM and PTA profile (durricrust layer). The variation of compressive strengths of the specimens from the topmost durricrust layer may be due to presence of defects in the form of channels and pores, which causes an early failure of the specimen; this is in spite of high hardness and specific gravity of these specimens. Splits and cracks are also formed during the cutting and

dressing operation of the durricrust laterite (hard and brittle in nature) than other types. The variation in compressive strength may be attributed to the presence of the micro-cracks during the specimen preparation. Hence, in such cases, laterite of good quality is taken from layers underlying the hard topmost layers. This is also a common selection procedure adopted by the practitioners. Summary: A general behavior of laterite for building purposes based on the study can be summarized as follows: Laterite is essentially heterogeneous, anisotropic rock consisting of hard ferruginous skeletal framework impregnated with soft clayey material. It contains lot of structural irregularities in the form of cavities and pores. The Malabar laterite can be categorized as weak rock (weaker than class B bricks of minimum strength 3.5 MPa) that can be used for low-rise buildings and partition walls. Laterite suited for construction purpose is mainly ferruginous in nature and of a vermicular type (continuous coherent mass). Compressive strength and specific gravity of laterite blocks decreases with the depth of quarry. The increase in water absorption of laterite samples of the deeper layers may be attributed to the increase in clay content (Kaolinite). Indurated laterite crusts seen at the top portion of laterite profile (as seen in PTA and PM laterite) are found to be brittle, and contain numerous structural irregularities as channels and pores. The strength of this laterite is found highly variable even though the specific gravity is high. Laterite of relatively good quality for building purpose (high compressive strength and low water absorption) was located in the top portion of profiles (below durricrust layer). References: [1] ASTM C 97 (2002) Standard test methods for water absorption and bulk specific gravity of dimension stone, ASTM, Philadelphia, USA. [2] ASTM C170 (2004) Standard test method for compressive strength of dimensional stone. ASTM, Philadelphia, USA. [3] Karunakaran, C. and Roy, S.S. (1981) Laterite profile development linked with polycyclic geomorphic surfaces in South Kerala, Proceedings of international seminar on laterisation process, Trivandrum, India, 221-231. [4] Varghese, T. and Byju, G. (1993), Laterite soils Their Distribution, Characteristics and Management, Technical Monograph No.1, State

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Committee on Science, Technology and Environment, Government of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, India. [5] Narayanaswamy and Rajendran, C.P. (1987) A note on laterisation cycles associated with sedimentaries, Kasarkode district, Kerala, Journal of Geological Society of India, 30, October, 309- 314. [6] IS 3620 (1979) Indian standard specification for laterite stone block for masonry, Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, India.

[7] Reddy, D.V. (1996) Decorative and dimensional stones of India, CBS Publishers and distributors, New Delhi [8] Gribble, C.D. (1988) Rutleys Elements of Mineralogy, 27th edition, a Academic division of Unwin Hyman, London [9] Proceq.(2005) http://www.proceq.com/english/ produkte/betonpruefhammer.php.

Table 1: Variation in Properties with Depth of Laterite Profile Field Investigations Depth from top (m) Remarks Rebound Number Depth (m) Experimental Results Compre ssive Strength (MPa) Specific gravity Water absorpt ion (%) Hardness (Moh scale)

Colour

Structure

UL Laterite 1.8 3.0 Brownis h Yellow Whitish yellow Brownis h red Reddish brown Red Brownis h red Yellowi sh red Pink Reddish brown Brownis h red Yellowi sh red Vermicular Vermicular 33-56 25-48 S S 1.8 3.0 1.44 1.05 2.15 1.74 10.82 13.20 1-2 <2

PTA Laterite 1.0 3.0 6.0 1.8 3.0 5.2 1.2 6.0 10.8 Vesicular Vermicular Mottled Vesicular Vermicular Mottled Scoriacious Scoriacious Vermicular 40-62 -43-50 45-65 38-54 36-45 45-72 -36-55 H M 1.0 3.0 2.42 2.57 1.13 2.06 1.86 0.66 3.06 3.19 1.66 2.67 2.31 1.85 2.71 2.07 1.51 2.95 2.23 1.82 9.74 11.02 13.92 12.8 14.30 15.73 9.12 10.20 13.40 3-4 2-3 <2 1-3 <3 1-2 3-4 3 <3

S 6.0 MU Laterite M M 1.8 3.0

S 5.2 PM Laterite H M S 1.2 6.0 10.8

Note: H Hard; M Medium; S Soft H = Hard - cannot break with hammer in one blow, M = Medium hard - can break with hammer in one blow. S = Soft - can be broken with fingers

International Journal of Earth Sciences and Engineering ISSN 0974-5904, Vol. 05, No. 03 (01), June 2012, pp. 518-523