Many different damage models have been prolxlsed for concrete in the past. Most of these are not well suited to predict the residual strength of damaged RC members. This paper reviews some basic facts alxlut concrete damage and uses these to systematically model damage as a low-cycle fatigue phenomenon. Instead of the number of load cycles to failure the energy dissipation capacity of a member is taken as the main variable, which depends on many different factors. The model is capable of simulating reasonably well the strength and stiffness degradation of I{C members subjected to strong cyclic loads.