Valorization of Spent Manganese Filter Media as Sustainable Fine Aggregate in Cement Mortar: Mechanical Performance and Chemical Durability

Phattharachai Pongsopha; Buchit Maho; Tanapat Namjan; Darrakorn Intarabut

doi:10.48084/etasr.18123

Authors

Phattharachai Pongsopha Department of Civil Engineering, Rajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakhon, Thailand
Buchit Maho Department of Civil Engineering, Rajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakhon, Thailand
Tanapat Namjan Department of Civil Engineering, Rajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakhon, Thailand
Darrakorn Intarabut Department of Civil Engineering, Rajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakhon, Thailand

Volume: 16 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 35862-35871 | June 2026 | https://doi.org/10.48084/etasr.18123

Received: 12 February 2026 | Revised: 3 April 2026, 20 April 2026, and 22 April 2026 | Accepted: 23 April 2026 | Online: 30 April 2026

Corresponding author: Phattharachai Pongsopha

Abstract

Spent Manganese Filter Media (SMFM) from municipal groundwater treatment systems can be used as an alternative source of fine aggregate for cement-based materials. This study investigated the feasibility of using SMFM as a volumetric replacement for natural river sand in cement mortar at replacement levels of 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%. The fresh properties, mechanical performance, and chemical durability of the mortars were evaluated in terms of flowability, fresh density, 28-day compressive and flexural strengths, mass loss, and residual strength after exposure to sodium chloride, magnesium sulfate, and sulfuric acid solutions. Increasing the SMFM content reduced flowability from 115% for the control mixture to 106%, 101%, and 97% for the SMFM10, SMFM20, and SMFM30 mixtures, respectively. Meanwhile, the fresh density decreased slightly, dropping from 2,136.0 kg/m³ for the control mixture to 2,129.3 kg/m³, 2,120.7 kg/m³, and 2,110.0 kg/m³ for the SMFM10, SMFM20, and SMFM30 mixtures, respectively. Nevertheless, the 28-day compressive strength increased from 20.22 MPa for the control mortar to 24.97, 27.53, and 29.66 MPa for the SMFM10, SMFM20, and SMFM30 mixtures, respectively. Similarly, the 28-day flexural strength increased from 1.19 MPa for the control mortar to 1.59 MPa, 1.95 MPa, and 2.02 MPa for the SMFM10, SMFM20, and SMFM30 mixtures, respectively. Under chemical exposure conditions, mortars containing SMFM generally exhibited lower mass loss and better residual strength retention than the control mortar, especially at 20% and 30% replacement levels. The observed performance improvement may be associated with the physical characteristics of the processed particles and their interaction with the cement matrix.

Keywords:

Spent Manganese Filter Media (SMFM), cement mortar, sustainable fine aggregate, groundwater treatment waste, compressive strength, chemical durability

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