Cracks in concrete structures are common and could, in some cases, have a criticalinfluence on the integrity, durability, safety and overall performance of reinforcedconcrete structures. Understanding and predicting the behavior of these cracks isessential for ensuring safety and, enhancing durability and preserving serviceability.This thesis investigates the optimal technique to predict the static load-bearingcapacity for a cracked reinforced concrete beam, particularly with flexural andflexure-shear cracks. The primary aim is to assess the impact of existing cracks onthe residual static structural capacity of reinforced concrete, with specific objectivesto evaluate and analyze different modeling methods, and to apply the most accuratemethod to a specific case study.This study utilized the finite element method and compared two approaches tomodel existing cracks: the Discrete Crack Approach (DCA), where cracks aremodeled as discontinuities, and the Weakened Element Approach (WEA), wherecracked elements have reduced tensile properties. Static loads were applied tothese cracked beams to compare their load-bearing capabilities. Two concretematerial models have been evaluated, the Concrete Smeared Cracking (CSC) modeland the Concrete Damage Plasticity (CDP) model.The study found that both DCA and WEA with CSC model had significant limitationsin capturing the effects of pre-cracks on RC beams. The load-bearingcapacity remained nearly unchanged, and crack propagation did not reflect realisticpatterns. Conversely, CDP model produced more reliable results, with noticeable reductionsin bending and shear load-bearing capacity and realistic crack propagation.Comparative analysis and validation against experimental data demonstrated thatthe WEA method achieved high accuracy with a 93% alignment to experimentalobservations. However, the DCA method failed to replicate experimental dataaccurately.In conclusion, the WEA method with triangular meshes using CDP model providesthe most reliable and accurate simulation results for pre-cracked RC beams. Thisstudy highlights the importance of selecting appropriate material models and meshtypes for realistic structural simulations, enhancing predictive capabilities andreliability in this type of engineering applications.