Abstract: A composite material is composed of a matrix of water hardenable material such as a portland-cement-based mixture, and reinforcement consisting of a plurality of layers of open-mesh textile fabric, each layer including two sets of straight lying parallel textile elements united to form the fabric. The width of the elements in each set is preferably chosen so that there is formed within the reinforcement a plurality of irregular cavities extending throughout the thickness of the reinforcement and filled with material of the matrix to form irregular plugs of the matrix material tending to unite the layers of fabric and distribute stresses between them. The individual textile elements may be monofilaments of various cross-sectional form, spun yarns, bundles, rovings, or composite filaments. The elements of the two sets can be united by wearing, weaving, additional yarns or adhesive.