Fatigue behavior of concrete: A literature review on the main relevant parameters

•Comparison between different standards regarding concrete fatigue was discussed.•Alternated compression and tensile stresses highly reduce the concrete fatigue life.•Temperature increase depends on the specimen dimensions and loading frequencies.•Highly significant issues are identified that merit further analysis. This paper contributes by summarizing knowledge on the fatigue behavior of concrete, discussing current standardization, and organizing previous contributions and prospecting future developments in experimental research. It describes classical laboratory fatigue tests and analysis (S-N curves, damage effects on modulus etc.), emphasizing differences expected for real loading (with variation in frequency and temperature, among other effects). Not only current standards diverge in results, but more fundamental effects were observed. Temperature has relevant impact on fatigue life, and during tests it may change due to self-heating. Specimen dimensions are relevant for this phenomenon. Loading frequency seems to influence fatigue, and since tests in laboratory need to be accelerated (high frequency) compared to the field (low frequency), this is a major concern. Other investigated effects include loading waveforms and moisture.