This work presents an evaluation of the mechanical behavior of steel fiber reinforced concrete on a material and structural scale. The characterization of the matrix was performed by compression tests for different ages. Three-point bending tests and direct tensile tests on dog bone specimens were performed for the matrix and for concrete reinforced with steel fibers. The fibers had hooked-end geometry, were 30, 35 and 60 mm long and had diameters of 0.62, 0.55 and 0.75 mm, respectively. The volume fractions were 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 per cent. The addition of fibers promoted an increase in toughness and residual strength of the concrete in both the flexural and direct tensile tests. Tension stiffening tests were conducted on the matrix and on concretes reinforced with 1.0 per cent of the 35 and 60 mm long fibers. It was observed that the addition of fibers controlled the crack opening, increased post-cracking stiffness and bar-concrete adhesion. In the structural scale, negative bending moment tests at mid span were conducted on reinforced concrete sleepers with 0.5 per cent of the 35 and 60 mm long fibers. The first crack strength, ultimate strength and toughness were increased with the addition of fibers on the sleeper. The experimental results were verified by theoretical calculations. The increment ratio of the ultimate moment by the fiber addition was the same for the theoretical and experimental analysis.