This paper considers the design and analysis of a series of one and two span deep beams which have been tested previously. The beams are assessed with nonlinear finite element analysis and two alternative strut and tie models. The reinforcement is subsequently designed to resist between 60-80% of the measured failure loads using a semi-automated finite element based procedure and the two strut and tie models. The semi-automated design procedure is implemented in NonOpt which is a FORTRAN program that works in conjunction with the finite element program DIANA. The reinforcement is designed to resist stresses calculated in a nonlinear finite element analysis. The case studies with NonOpt examine the influence of basing the initial reinforcement design on either a linear or nonlinear finite element analysis. The influence of tension stiffening is also considered. The least reinforcement weight is obtained when the initial design is based on a nonlinear analysis without tension stiffening.