A Review of Fatigue in Concrete of Segmental Bridge Beams: Challenges, High‐Performance Concrete Innovations, and Future Directions

ABSTRACT Segmental bridges, consisting of interconnected segments linked by prestressed tendons, are vital for modern infrastructure but face significant durability challenges due to fatigue from cyclic loading, environmental conditions, and material degradation. Although design and construction have advanced, current standards lack comprehensive methods to assess fatigue under these complex conditions, leading to potential performance and safety concerns. A 3% traffic growth can cut fatigue life from 80 to 44 years, cracking may shorten it by 68 years, and corrosion can reduce reliability from 100 to 44 years, underscoring the need for durability‐focused design. This review synthesizes research on fatigue mechanisms, design guidelines, and material innovations in segmental bridges. The paper highlights key findings, such as improvement in fatigue resistance through high‐performance concrete and posttensioning techniques, but also identifies gaps in current fatigue life assessment methods. The study emphasizes the need for real‐time monitoring systems, advanced predictive models, and innovative retrofitting strategies to enhance long‐term bridge resilience. Future research should refine fatigue assessment techniques, integrate real‐time data for maintenance, and explore sustainable materials and retrofit solutions to ensure the safety and durability of segmental bridges under increasing traffic and environmental stresses.