Influence of Samples Dimensions and Anisotropy on the Properties of Laterite Stone from Burkina Faso

• Hassane Seini Moussa

  International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering

• Abdou Lawane

  International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering

• Décroly Djoubissie Denouwe

  International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering

The present paper expounds upon the findings of characterization studies conducted on three laterite quarries in Burkina Faso. These quarries have been deemed suitable for utilization in standardized masonry structures. Despite its abundance, the utilization of Laterite Stone (LS) as a construction material in buildings remains underutilized. Consequently, there is an absence of technical data necessary for the design of safe structures. Samples were obtained from both artisanal and mechanized quarries and subsequently submitted to laboratory analysis. A comprehensive study of the physical and mechanical properties has been conducted to dismantle the influence of the geometry of the blocks on the characteristic values, such as the compressive strength and the elastic moduli, according to different standards observed. The objective of this study is twofold: first, to ascertain the viability of this material for low-rise or mid-rise constructions, and second, to examine the impact of anisotropy on the characteristics under investigation. The dimensions of the blocks utilized in this study range from 70×70 mm² to 140×140 mm² for compression tests and from 50×50×300 mm³ to 30×100×350 mm³ for flexural tensile strength tests. The dimensions are reported with a margin of error of approximately 2 millimeters. The mineralogical composition of the LS use is primarily comprised of kaolinite, quartz, and goethite. On the one hand, the findings indicated a substantial variation in the elastic moduli and the modulus of rupture, contingent on the dimensions of the blocks. Conversely, the compressive strength values exhibited approximately 27% higher values when the load was applied in the plane perpendicular to the schistosity beds of the layers as opposed to the plane parallel to it.

Abhilash, H. N., McGregor, F., Millogo, Y., Fabbri, A., Séré, A. D., Aubert, J. E., & Morel, J. C. (2016). Physical, mechanical and hygrothermal properties of lateritic building stones (LBS) from Burkina Faso. Construction and Building Materials, 125, 731–741. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.08.082

ASTM-C170/C170M-17. (2017). Standard Test Method for Compressive Strength of Dimension Stone (US Department of Defense, Ed.; ASTM). https://doi.org/10.1520/C0170_C0170M-17

Babu, B. R., Dinesh Kumar, G., & Tech, M. (2007). International Journal of Innovative Research in Science, Engineering and Technology (An ISO), 3297(1). https://doi.org/10.15680/IJIRSET.2017.0601130

Benon, E., Atiah, E. A., Githuku, C., & Mwai, M. (2025). Assessment of wormhole concretionary laterite stone for use in masonry construction. Journal of the Ghana Institution of Engineering (JGhIE), 25(2), 69–76.

Bhat, D. K., Kamath, K., Banerjee, S., Bhat P, K., & Isleem, H. F. (2024a). Mechanical properties and microstructural analysis of laterite stone masonry from India for sustainable construction. Discover Materials, 4(1), 91. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43939-024-00160-z

Bhat, D. K., Kamath, K., Banerjee, S., Bhat P, K., & Isleem, H. F. (2024b). Mechanical properties and microstructural analysis of laterite stone masonry from India for sustainable construction. Discover Materials, 4(1), 91.

Castaing, C., Billa, M., Milesi, J. P., Thieblemont, D., Le Metour, J., Egal, E., Donzeau, M., Guerrot, C., Cocherie, A., & Chevremont, P. (2003). Notice explicative de la carte géologique et minière à 1/1 000 000 du Burkina Faso. Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, 58.

Dsouza, E., & Dileep Kumar, U. (2017). A study on laterite stones as building material.

EN 1926. (1999). Méthodes d’essai pour pierres naturelles – Détermination de la résistance en compression.

Hendry, A. W., & Malek, M. H. (1986). Characteristic compressive strength of brickwork walls from collected test results. MASONRY INT. Masonry Int., (7), 15.

Hu, S., Tan, Y., Zhou, H., Guo, W., Hu, D., Meng, F., & Liu, Z. (2017). Impact of bedding planes on mechanical properties of sandstone. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 50(8), 2243–2251.

IS : 1121. (1974). Methods of Test for Determination of Strength Properties of Natural Building Stones Part I: Compressive Strength (Bureau of Indian Standards, Ed.). BIS.

KABORE, M., LAWANE, A., SAWADOGO, C., LO, M., MESSAN, A., & PANTET, A. (2019). Études expérimentales du comportement mécanique sous charges verticales des maçonneries en Blocs de Latérite Taillée (BLT). Afrique SCIENCE, 15(1), 201–213.

Kapadia, S. (2025). Comparative of Two Building Envelopes for Energy Efficiency and Environmental Sustainability. Current World Environment, 20(1), 418.

Kasthurba, A. K., Santhanam, M., & Achyuthan, H. (2008). Investigation of laterite stones for building purpose from Malabar region, Kerala, SW India – Chemical analysis and microstructure studies. Construction and Building Materials, 22(12), 2400–2408. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2006.12.003

Kasthurba, A. K., Santhanam, M., & Mathews, M. S. (2007). Investigation of laterite stones for building purpose from Malabar region, Kerala state, SW India – Part 1: Field studies and profile characterisation. Construction and Building Materials, 21(1), 73–82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2005.07.006

Kirtschigg, K. (1985). On the failure mechanism of masonry subject of compression. Proceedings of 7th International Brick Masonry Conference, Melbourne, 625–629.

Krishna, P. S., Poongodi, K., Kumar, P. R., & Murthi, P. (2024). A review on investigations of novel nano-silica based mortar for the repairing of heritage buildings. AIP Conference Proceedings, 3122(1), 070019.

Ladmirant, H., & Legrand, J. M. (1977). Notice explicative de la carte géologique au 1/200000 de la feuille de Houndié. De La Géologie et Des Mines, Haute Volta, Ouagadougou.

Lawane, A., Pantet, A., Messan, A., Vinai, R., & Thomassin, J. H. (2013). Conception d’éco-habitats en Blocs de Latérite Taillés au Burkina Faso (2iE, Ed.; pp. 1–10). www.2ie-edu.org

Lawane, A., Pantet, A., Vina, R., & Thomassin, J. H. (2011). ÉTUDE GÉOLOGIQUE ET GÉOMÉCANIQUE DES LATÉRITES DE DANO (BURKINA FASO) POUR UNE UTILISATION DANS L’HABITAT. Annales Du Bâtiment et Des Travaux Publics, (6), 15.

Lawane Gana, A. (2014). Caractérisation des matériaux latéritiques indurés pour une meilleure utilisation dans l’habitat en Afrique [Thèse de doctorat]. UNIVERSITÉ DU HAVRE.

Lekjep, R. S., Kagai, K. J., Chong, J. D., & Baji, J. A. (2024). Improving Thermal and Energy Performance of Residential Buildings in Nigeria by Developing and Using Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Local Materials. BIMA Journal of Science and Technology (2536-6041), 8(1B), 157–169.

Mann, W. (1982). Statistical evaluation of tests on masonry by potential functions. Sixth International Brick Masonry Conference.

Mann, W., & Muller, H. (1982). Failure of shear-stressed masonry. An enlarged theory, tests and application to shear walls. Proc. Br. Ceram. Soc., (30), 223.

Molla, M., Birhanu, Y., Alene, M., Berhane, G., Mengesha, H., Resom, A., & Asrat, A. (2024). Geological and Geotechnical Properties of the Rock-hewn Churches of Hawzien-Ger’alta, Tigrai, Northern Ethiopia: Implications for Their Conservation. Geoheritage, 16(4), 140.

Nasheed, M., Junaid Mk, M., Sreevidya, V., & Preethi, R. (2018). Case Study on Comparison between Laterite Stone and Concrete Block, 81–88. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/327282310

Netterberg, F. (2025). What’s in a name: laterite, plinthite, ferricrete, pedocrete, geocrete and duricrust – is there any difference, and is it of any engineering significance?

Pratheeksha, V. G., & Umaraniya, S. (2025). Role of Construction Methods in Shaping Neo-Vernacular Architecture: Insights from the Master Builder Nari Gandhi in India.

Rodrigues, A. N. A. S. (2025). Architecture as Identity: Preserving Goan Vernacular in the Age of Globalization. AIJFR-Advanced International Journal for Research, 6(5).

Thamboo, J., Corradi, M., & Poologanathan, K. (2024). Investigating the mechanical characteristics of unreinforced and reinforced stone masonry using an experimental database. Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering, 22(4), 2173–2199.

Xie, L., Hu, X., Chen, Z., Cai, W., Zhang, W., Hu, Y., & Zeng, Z. (2024). Natural materials modified mud mortar for rubble stone masonry: An experimental and numerical study. Case Studies in Construction Materials, 21, e04086.

• HTML

• PDF

Data are available by the authors upon request

• Building and Construction

Copyright (c) 2026 Hassane Seini Moussa, Abdou Lawane, Décroly Djoubissie Denouwe

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Open Access Licences
User rights
All articles published open access will be immediately and permanently free for everyone to read and download, copy and distribute.