Laterite - Building material of Asia

Laterite...what is it?

Laterite has commonly been referred to as a soil type as well as being a rock type.

Rich in iron and aluminum and is commonly considered to have formed in hot and wet tropical areas. Nearly all laterites are of rusty-red coloration, because of high iron oxide content. It is typically cut into blocks and dried.

 Konark Sun Temple in India

The technology probably spread from India east to Burma, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. The material can be polished or left in a rough texture and sometimes stuccoed over. At Ankor Wat its used as a base material then clad with sandstone. In northern Vietnam its used instead of brick.                                                                                                           

Laterite brick walls near Hanoi.

Video of Laterite course in My Son, Champa temple.

Since laterite is porous it is light weight yet strong. It is used as a base course for roads, bearing walls and for aquifers. In its clay form it is cut in many sizes then dried and used. This makes it a very versatile building material.                                                                                                     

Laterite walls in East Mebon Siam Reap Cambodia.