This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation on th
e shear response of slurry infiltrated fiber concrete (SIFCON) with an
d without dowel reinforcement when subjected to monotonically increasi
ng shear lending. Specimens tested include plain slurry, plain concret
e, dowel reinforced concrete, SIFCON, and dowel reinforced SIFCON. Sev
eral parameters were investigated: two different volume fractions of f
ibers (6 percent of ZL50/50 and II percent of ZL30/50 hooked steel fib
ers), two dowel reinforcement ratios (rho = 1.40 and 2.50 percent), an
d two slurry compressive strengths, about 6 and 11 ksi (42 and 77 MPa)
. Special emphasis is placed on analyzing the contribution of steel fi
bers and dowel bar reinforcement to the strength, ductility, and energ
y-absorbing capacity of the composite. The results show that dowel rei
nforced SIFCON has an outstanding response under shear loading. It has
an ultimate shear strength of up to 5 ksi (35 MPa), and an energy-abs
orbing capability of up to 1200 times that of plain concrete and up to
12 times that of dowel reinforced concrete.