Seismic vulnerability assessment of unreinforced masonry churches in Québec: the Conefroy typology

Eastern Canada is characterized by moderate seismic hazard which may result in extensive damage for the historical building stock. In the province of Québec, a high density of historical unreinforced masonry (URM) churches is present, as confirmed by an inventory of 108 churches just in the Island of Montreal. Churches in general have demonstrated to be particularly vulnerable to seismic actions due to their geometrical characteristics, which include high slender walls and large openings, and due to the type of material and constructions techniques. In order to preserve this historical asset, a first screening of the inventory has led to group churches based on their façade configuration. The main typologies identified are the Conefroy, the Néo-Roman, the Italian Baroque, and the Baillargé. Within a broader research program, the aim of this paper is to investigate the seismic vulnerability of the Conefroy typology that is largely present in Québec. A case study, the church of Sainte-Famille in Boucherville, is examined. This study is performed applying the Italian methodology for the seismic vulnerability assessment of churches to the Québec context. In this territory, due to its construction culture, church structures are made of two principal materials: masonry and timber. In the paper, a first part is devoted to the historical background of the case-study and a second part to elaborate a complete geometrical model in 3D as a base for the numerical model used for the structural analyses. Finally, the initial results of the modal analyses of the masonry part are discussed.