The phenomenon of dowel action as a shear transfer mechanism across cracks has long been recognized as an important component of the overall shear resistance capacity of reinforced concrete beams. In this paper, a simple analytical model for the dowel action of reinforcing bars crossing cracks is developed for analysis of reinforced concrete beams. This model is incorporated into a computer program that uses the displacement method and the initial stiffness procedure. The nonlinear behaviors of several reinforced concrete beams tested by others are analyzed. The beams are analyzed first with the dowel action neglected and then with the dowel action considered. It is found that in certain cases, the dowel action can have significant effects on the shear strength of reinforced concrete beams and that the theoretical results of the proposed model generally agree better with the experimental values when the dowel action is accounted for.