Abstract: In order to study the shear response of reinforced concrete (RC) beams strengthened with high ductile concrete (HDC) jacketing layer, 7 HDC jacketed RC beams and 4 non-strengthened RC beams were designed. The failure modes, load-deflection curves, shear capacities and cracks of the beams with different shear span ratios, stirrup ratios, thickness of HDC jacket and stirrups in HDC jacket were studied by static tests. The test results show that the HDC jacket can significantly improve the shear capacity of the beams. The HDC jacket can share partially shear loads which were taken by stirrups, and improve the shear failure pattern. After the ultimate displacements were reached, beams strengthened with HDC jacket exhibit good integrity and high residual bearing capacity. A formula based on the truss-arch model for calculating the shear capacity of beams strengthened with HDC jacket is proposed, and the calculated results are in good agreement with the test results.