ABSTRACT
The work presented takes part of a global analysis of the seismic vulnerability of the baroque churches and chapels in the high valleys of French Savoy. Any damage to these structures is irreversible because even identically rebuilt, they lose their historical value. Preserving architectural heritage from seismic risks is an extremely challenging task, not only because of its specific vulnerability but because of the large number of buildings involved as well. Structural large-scale assessment of old architectural heritage in masonry is a critical issue, even though it is made necessary by the need to protect them from any damage, their great number and their inherent vulnerability. The model of Notre-Dame-de-la-Gorge is thus described by three types of wall thicknesses, a set of pillars, arches and buttresses modeled by beam elements (red), the tribune with a specific building method (green), the bell tower built in better masonry (purple) and the stucco vaults (pink).
