The construction of the Jesus tower at the Sagrada Familia has involved ingenious solutions, such as the use of 24 tons of a specialized adhesive, Loctite EA 9497. This compound has been employed to join the 826 panels and over 2,100 stone elements that make up the temple's six central towers.
According to Jordi Faulí, the lead architect of the Sagrada Familia, the goal was to ensure that the stone and steel of the tower's skin would "work together now and in the future." The adhesive is applied in liquid form, conforming to the surface and filling cavities to maximize the bond between materials.
Each M-shaped piece visible from the outside is composed of 30 stone blocks, previously joined at the quarry under controlled temperature conditions. This modular system has allowed for construction processes to be accelerated up to tenfold compared to traditional methods.
Begoña Cantera, chief engineer for the project at Henkel Ibérica, confirmed that the adhesive has passed all required tests. Its formula is designed to absorb movement and adapt to Barcelona's climatic and environmental conditions, such as humidity, salinity due to proximity to the sea, temperature fluctuations, and vibrations from public transport.
Furthermore, the adhesive can withstand loads equivalent to 100,000 adult people per square meter, a resistance comparable to the entire packed Camp Nou stadium concentrated within a single square meter.
The cross crowning the Jesus tower, measuring 17 meters in height and 13.5 meters in width, weighs 110 tons and is part of a structure designed to withstand multiple factors, with the crucial assistance of this special adhesive.
