This July 31, 2008 photo show the Hesburgh Library on the campus of Notre Dame University in Notre Dame, Indiana. The library is adorned with the mosaic "The Word of Life", which depicts Christ the teacher surrounded by saints and scholars. The mosaic is also referred to a "Touchdon Jesus", because it happens to align with end zone of Notre Dame's football stadium and it appears that Jesus is signaling touchdown. AFP PHOTO/Karen BLEIER (Photo credit should read KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images)

The view of "Touchdown Jesus" from Notre Dame stadium

Hesburgh Library Reinforced with HJ3 Carbon Fiber

Touchdown Jesus Strengthened with HJ3® Carbon Fiber

The iconic Touchdown Jesus mural at Notre Dame's Theodore Hesburgh Library, which graces the view from the university's football stadium, is an emblematic structure. Constructed in 1963 from concrete block, the library was originally a testament to architectural craftsmanship.

However, with the passage of time, the library faced a challenge. The concrete blocks of the air handling system within the library were arranged in columns, leaving them without the overlapping joints that provide structural stability. As a result, the air pressure changes stemming from the activation of fans began to exert more force than the concrete could withstand, causing the structure to flex. This repeated movement led to the development of unsightly cracks in the mortar joints between the concrete blocks.

Facing a substantial cost for a complete wall replacement due to the size and location of the affected area, Notre Dame opted for a cost-effective alternative. The solution was to reinforce the walls with carbon fiber, containing the cracks and restoring structural integrity. The guidance of Rick Keller, P.E. from Keller Engineering played a pivotal role in this decision. HJ3's certified installer, 3D Structural Solutions, executed the installation with precision.

The project was carefully scheduled during Notre Dame's winter break to minimize disruptions. The process involved abrading the concrete to remove loose particles, injecting the cracks, applying a primer, and installing carbon fiber fabric strips. Structural bonding cement was used for the joints outside of the repair area, and a final layer of steel webbing was applied to prevent any future deflection from air pressure changes.

Upon the completion of the installation, the system was tested when the air handling system was reactivated. The results were clear – no deflection was observed. The project not only saved valuable time, reducing the inconvenience to the library's users, but also delivered significant cost savings compared to a full wall replacement. Touchdown Jesus stands tall, thanks to the strength of carbon fiber.

To explore this case history in greater detail or to learn more about HJ3, please reach out to us at info@hj3.com or call us toll-free at 1-877-303-0453. HJ3 is a leading provider of carbon fiber and glass fiber composites designed for a variety of applications, offering HJ3 Civil™ for commercial use, CarbonSeal™ for industrial applications, and StrongHold™ for residential needs.

‍