Fibre composite materials have been used since the mid-1980s in the domain of bridge construction, predominately for reinforcement purposes. Since the mid-1990s there has also been an increase in their use in pilot projects for new constructions. Three types of applications for new constructions are recognised. Concrete reinforcing applications, so called new hybrid construction applications, together with traditional building materials, and so called all-composite applications, for which only new materials are used.

For structural reinforcement, glued strips are used world-wide. Furthermore, sheets are used as column reinforcement in Japan and the USA. Reinforcement using external cables has been used occasionally in Japan and Europe.

Short fibres, reinforcing bars and post-tensioning cables are used as concrete reinforcement. Numerous pilot applications are taking place, in particular in Japan and Canada, fewer in the USA na Europe.