The paper aims to illustrate the relevant use of infrared thermography as a nondestructive, noncontact and real-time technique (a) to observe damage processes and mechanisms of concrete failure and (b) to detect the occurrence of intrinsic dissipation localization. The investigated parameter is the heat generation due to intrinsic dissipation of concrete subject to compressive loadings. Owing to the thermomechanical coupling, this technique provides a simple means for evaluating fatigue strength through dissipative phenomena.