Self-stressing engineered composites that include a matrix containing self-stressing reinforcement that is activated by an activator that causes, in situ, the self-stressing reinforcement to transfer at least some of its pre-stress into portions of the matrix adjacent the self-stressing reinforcement. In some embodiments, the activator can be of a self-activating, an internal activating, and/or an external activating type. In some embodiments, the self- stressing reinforcement includes an active component that holds and transfers pre-stress to a matrix and a releasing component that causes the active component to transfer its pre-stress to the matrix. In some embodiments, the self-stressing reinforcement is initially unstressed and becomes stressed upon activation. Various engineered composites, self-stressing reinforcement, and applications of self-stressing engineered composites are disclosed.