This paper reports on development of size dependent shear strength expression for reinforced concrete deep beams using refined strut-and-tie model. The generic form of the size effect law has been retained considering the merits of Siao's model and modified Bazant's size effect law using the large experimental data base reported in the literature. The proposed equation for predicting the shear strength of deep beams incorporates the compressive strength of concrete, ratios of the longitudinal and the web reinforcement, shear span-to-depth ratio and the effective depth. © 2012 Indian Academy of Sciences.