Shear walls with an aspect (H/D) ratio of 1 or less are considered to exhibit non-ductile behaviour due to the possibility of a premature shear failure. As well as this, little is known about the behaviour of web reinforcement in the shear resistance of such squat elements. The deep beams tested by Paulay in a previous investigation at the University of Canterbury show analogous bending moment and shear patterns to those of shear walls in which the load is distributed along the top edge by slab action. By testing a group of three similar beams, using an existing testing procedure, it was hoped to find out under what conditions premature shear failures can be avoided and the maximum moment capacity achieved repeatedly under cyclic loading. The results of these tests could be applied to the future design of such shear walls. Several recommendations have been suggested in the conclusions of this report.