This paper presents a transfer matrix method for analysing dynamiccharacteristics of arches.The calculation models are the broken-line rigidframes with a series of mass points,which are simplified from the criginalstructures.The geometric stiffness and the axial deformation of arch are consi-dered in formulating its vibration transfer equation.Through application ofthe method,the vibration modes and the relative values of internal forces canbe obtained simultaneously as soon as the vibration frequencies of arch areknown.The simple and direct method developed may be easily calculated withmicrocomputer,and it has extensive usage with high precision.