The introduction of fiber additions to concrete in the early 1900s was aimed primarily at enhancing
the tensile strength of concrete. As is well known, the tensile strength is 8 to 14% of the compressive
strength of normal concretes with resulting cracking at low stress levels. Such a weakness is partially
overcome by the addition of reinforcing bars, which can be either steel or fiberglass, as main continuous
reinforcement in beams and one-way and two-way structural slabs or slabs on grade