Deep beams are structural elements where a significant portion of the load is carried to the supports by compression forces combining the load and reaction. As a result, the strain distribution is nonlinear and shear deformations are significant compared to pure flexure. Examples include floor slabs under horizontal loads, short span beams carrying heavy loads, and transfer girders. The behavior of deep beams is two-dimensional rather than one-dimensional, and plane sections may not remain plane. Analysis requires a two-dimensional stress approach.