Table 1 – Mortar proportions for producing the bottom layer of all mortar formulations

Details on the materials used, the mortar formulations and the notation used throughout this study. The labelling of the samples is as follows: SI_R - represents plain mortar (samples in Set I) SI_R+GM_I_ACG-Ø - represents plain mortar with growth media I (calcium nitrate and yeast extract) and aerated concrete granules SI_R+GM_I_ACG-S - represents plain mortar with growth media I (calcium nitrate and yeast extract) and aerated concrete granules with spores SII_R - represents plain mortar (samples in Set II) SII_R+C_ ACG-Ø - represents plain mortar with calcium nitrate and aerated concrete granules SII_R+YA_ ACG-Ø - represents plain mortar with sodium acetate and aerated concrete granules SII_R+GM_II_ACG-Ø - represents plain mortar with with growth media II (calcium nitrate and sodium acetate) and aerated concrete granules SII_R+GM_II_ACG-S - represents plain mortar with with growth media II (calcium nitrate and sodium acetate) and aerated concrete granules with spores