Why Fibre-Reinforced Concrete Is Revolutionising Construction

You’ve seen it before. The concrete slab looks sound when you pack up the site, then a few weeks later, it’s cracked, curling at the joints, or breaking down at the edges. More time, more materials, more money out the door. Now, this is where fibre-reinforced concrete (FRC) changes the game.

Mixing in steel, polypropylene, or glass fibres makes FRC stronger from the inside. It reduces shrinkage, boosts tensile strength, and lowers the need for rebar. It’s already being used across the UK in high-traffic warehouse floors, tunnels, and precast installations (and for good reason). In a 2025 trial at Wembley Park, a low-carbon variant of FRC reduced emissions by 70% without compromising structural strength.

This guide will show you how FRC works on-site. We’ll shine a light on where it adds value and why it’s the top choice for builders seeking fewer comebacks and lasting results.

What Is Fibre-Reinforced Concrete?

Fibre-reinforced concrete is formed by mixing small, strong fibres into the concrete. This boosts its performance significantly. The fibres are evenly spread throughout the slab. This means the whole slab gains added strength, not just the areas near the rebar or steel mesh. For more information on why we reinforce concrete with steel, head to this blog.

FRC’s strength throughout the body makes it great for high-performance settings. This includes runways, tunnels, precast segments, and warehouse slabs. It’s useful essentially anywhere long-term durability matters more than short-term cost saving. The University of Bath found in recent trials that fibre-enhanced mixes led to a significant drop in long-term repair cycles. This was especially evident in hard-to-reach areas, such as suspended slabs and structural decks.

That’s a win for safety, cost, and downtime.

At the LGW Group, we help you choose and pour the right mix for any job. This includes fibre types that work well in cold storage, for heavy loads, or in areas with high moisture.

Key Benefits of Using Fibres in Concrete

By replacing traditional rebar with fibre reinforcement, you alter more than just the mix. You also change how the concrete behaves from the very beginning. That means better outcomes for builders, engineers, and clients alike.

Here’s how fibre-reinforced concrete (FRC) delivers value where it counts:

1. Stronger Under Pressure

Concrete on its own handles compression well, but it struggles with tension. Fibres are essential because they help the slab resist tensile and flexural stress. This is crucial during curing, loading, and thermal movement. In real terms? There’s a lower chance of structural cracks forming over time.

In commercial buildings, like warehouses or industrial units, this extra tensile strength means:

• Fewer expansion joints
• Higher load tolerance
• Better impact resistance

2. Built-In Crack Control

Shrinkage cracks often appear within the first few days of a pour. Fibres are uniformly distributed in the concrete, while mesh only supports certain planes. That gives you crack resistance in every direction, which is especially important in large slab pours or exposed outdoor areas.

For projects such as ramps, pavements, or suspended floors, this means fewer callbacks and a reduced need for early repairs.

3. Lower Maintenance Over the Lifecycle

Fewer cracks and stronger joints help keep water out. This means fewer freeze-thaw failures and less long-term wear and tear.

Over the life of the structure, that equals:

• Less site downtime
• Reduced repair costs
• Safer operational conditions

And for public or private-sector clients, that’s a long-term budget win.

Where Fibre-Reinforced Concrete Performs Best

Fibre-reinforced concrete isn’t just a clever upgrade. It’s a practical solution for harsh environments where ordinary concrete often fails. There’s no one-size-fits-all fibre. Steel fibres are great for heavy-duty slabs. For wet or cold conditions, polypropylene is a good choice. Glass fibres give lightweight support for decorative or precast features. However, the LGW Group will suggest the best type for your project. This way, you can confidently balance strength, flexibility, and cost.

Here’s where it really proves its worth on UK sites:

Industrial Floors & Heavy-Use Slabs

Steel fibre mixes are more effective than plain concrete in logistics centres and factory floors. They better withstand repeated traffic, static loads, and edge stress. With fewer cracks and stronger joints, you get slabs that last, without constant patch repairs.

The LGW Group’s volumetric trucks and pump hire make large pours efficient, even in challenging site access conditions.

Outdoor Infrastructure & Civil Projects

FRC is the perfect choice for bridges, pavements, and retaining walls. It resists freeze-thaw damage, controls moisture, and can handle heavy loads over time. Polypropylene and glass fibres in particular offer added protection in wet or exposed settings.

Wright Readymix, part of the LGW Group, regularly supplies these mixes across Bristol, Cheddar, and the South West. They are ready to pump, pour, or deliver for any installation.

Car Parks, Loading Bays, & Distribution Yards

FRC is a smart choice for commercial external slabs that face frequent vehicle movement, dynamic loads, and surface wear. Steel or synthetic fibre mixes can help limit rutting, edge spalling, and joint breakdown. They work well even during freeze-thaw cycles or when using de-icing salts. These slabs are often large and exposed, making rebar installation time-consuming and labour-intensive. Fibre mixes reduce prep work and improve finish consistency, helping you stay on the programme and within budget.

At the LGW Group, we provide and install fibre-enhanced mixes for busy slabs throughout the South and Wales. We offer custom batching and pump-assisted placement for each site.

Stronger Concrete Starts With Smarter Choices

Fibre-reinforced concrete isn’t just stronger; it’s smarter. Whether you’re battling shrinkage, cutting down rebar, or building for high loads, FRC delivers a more resilient slab from day one. It’s the go-to solution for commercial builders who want fewer cracks, fewer callbacks, and a longer-lasting finish.

But the mix alone doesn’t guarantee results. You need the right partner to spec it, batch it, pump it, and place it with no fuss and no guesswork.

At the LGW Group, we do it all. We produce fibre-reinforced concrete in-house, deliver it directly to the site, and install it with precision. We provide volumetric supply, pump hire, and complete screed and flooring services in the South and Wales. We’re ready for bigger, better pours and focused on your site needs. So why not get your next slab poured right the first time?

Call 0117 958 2090 or get in touch for a tailored FRC mix or site-ready quote.