This July 31, 2008 photo captures the iconic Hesburgh Library at Notre Dame University in Indiana. Known for its stunning mosaic titled 'The Word of Life', the artwork portrays Christ as a teacher flanked by saints and scholars. Interestingly, this masterpiece is nicknamed 'Touchdown Jesus' due to its alignment with the end zone of Notre Dame’s football field, making it appear as though Jesus is giving a celebratory signal. 'Touchdown Jesus' Reinforced with HJ3® Carbon Fiber The famous mural of 'Touchdown Jesus' at Notre Dame's Theodore Hesburgh Library, visible from the university's football stadium, is an architectural marvel. Built in 1963 using concrete blocks, the library initially stood as a symbol of innovative design and construction. Over time, however, the library encountered structural issues. The concrete blocks forming the air handling system inside the library were constructed without overlapping joints, which are essential for maintaining structural stability. Consequently, fluctuations in air pressure caused by the operation of fans exerted excessive force on the concrete, resulting in noticeable flexing. Repeated movement led to cracks forming in the mortar joints between the concrete blocks, compromising the building's integrity. Notre Dame decided against the costly option of replacing the entire wall due to its size and location. Instead, they chose a cost-effective reinforcement method. The solution involved reinforcing the walls with carbon fiber, effectively containing the cracks and restoring structural integrity. Rick Keller, P.E., from Keller Engineering provided crucial guidance in this decision-making process. HJ3's certified installer, 3D Structural Solutions, carried out the installation meticulously. To avoid disruptions, the project was scheduled during Notre Dame's winter break. The procedure included abrasion to clean and prepare the surface, crack injection, application of a primer, and installation of carbon fiber fabric strips. Structural bonding cement was used outside the repair area for joint reinforcement, and a steel webbing layer was added to prevent future deflection caused by air pressure changes. After the installation was completed, the air handling system was reactivated for testing. The outcome was impressive—no deflection was detected. Not only did the project save considerable time, minimizing inconvenience to library users, but it also resulted in significant cost savings compared to a full wall replacement. Thanks to the strength of carbon fiber, 'Touchdown Jesus' remains as majestic as ever. For more details about this case study or to learn more about HJ3 products, feel free to contact us at [insert contact information] or call us toll-free at 1-877-303-0453. HJ3 offers a range of carbon fiber and glass fiber composites tailored for various applications, including HJ3 Civil™ for commercial purposes, CarbonSeal™ for industrial uses, and StrongHold™ for residential needs. †skyshields(suzhou)thermoforming tech.co.ltd , https://www.skyshields.com
View of 'Touchdown Jesus' from the Notre Dame Stadium
Hesburgh Library Enhanced with HJ3 Carbon Fiber