A new version of steel and reinforced concrete (SRC) structural system is proposed. It consists of H-shaped high strength steel, concrete and hoop reinforcement. Longitudinal reinforcement is not used. Experiments were carried out to study the restoring force characteristics of the proposed SRC, with emphasis on the effects of hoop reinforcement. Hoop reinforcement improved the compressive behaviour of the concrete and protected the H-shaped steel from local buckling. The proposed SRC system showed a large energy dissipating capacity as well as a large deformation capacity.