Background, definition and scope of the problem; Morphological and analytical characteristics of laterites; Global distribution of laterites; Origin of laterites; Classification of laterites.

Laterite Soil Engineering is one of a few books about solving engineering problems with the help of engineering pedology. This book presents the latest information on the laterite soils' geotechnical characteristics and engineering behavior. It shows that laterite soils are different from natural soils and that most laterite soils can be evaluated for engineering purposes using accepted theories and well-known test procedures for temperate-zone soils. This book also shows that modern concepts based on pedological considerations are very useful and take a logical approach to the identification and evaluation of laterite soils for engineering purposes. The first four chapters focus on reviewing information about the processes of tropical weathering and laterization. Chapter five summarizes information about the location, morphology and composition of laterite soils. Chapter six highlights the geotechnical implications of the pedogenic processes of tropical weathering, and it emphasizes the contribution of the results of these pedogenic processes to the deviations of engineering behavior of the problem of laterite soils. In addition, chapter seven discusses the influence of laterite soil genesis on the physic-chemical characteristics based on comparing the properties of three genetic soil groups formed under three different weathering conditions. Chapters eight through nineteen discuss the geotechnical characteristics and evaluation of laterite soils, and the effects of pedogenesis and soil-forming factors on the geotechnical and stabilization characteristics of laterite soils. The last chapter discusses the little information that exists on the application of laterite soils in engineering problems.

This Brief analyses and discusses the laterites in the Bengal Basin. The book highlights: (1) the definition, identification and classification of ferruginous materials, (2) the mode of laterite formation and its other horizons, (3) processes and theories of lateritisation, (4) determination of laterite ages, (5) recognition of palaeogeomorphic and palaeoclimatic significance and (6) geo-chronology and reconstruction of former lateritized landscapes. The chapters cover the tectono-climatic evolution of north-south laterite profiles of the north-western Bengal Basin on the Rajmahal Basalt Traps, Archean Granite-Gneiss, Gondwana Sandstones, Palaeogene Gravels and Older Palaeo-Deltaic Alluvium. The book uses advanced field-based studies, quantitative analysis and thematic mapping to cover various areas of palaeogeography and regolith geology of the Bengal Basin in connection with laterite genesis, palaeoweathering, tectonic geomorphology, Quaternary geomorphology and pedogeomorphology. It introduces laterites as a potential stratigraphic marker in Indian geology by explaining their palaeogeomorphic and palaeoclimatic significance. This Brief is a comprehensive resource to researchers, students and academicians of geography, geomorphology and geology working on laterites.