This paper presents an experimental investigation of ordinary concrete under discontinuous cyclic compression tests and numerical simulations for the residual stress. Stress cycles in discontinuous cyclic compression tests were interrupted by zero or very low loading intervals (ZLIs). Fatigue tests showed that the dissipated energy and the unloading deformation modulus of a cycle after the ZLI ( A cycle) were significantly larger than those of the cycle before the ZLI ( B cycle). The dissipated energy and the unloading deformation modulus both increased with the increase of the stress level. The mechanism of discontinuous fatigue results from the effect of the residual stress which is caused by the uncoordinated mechanical response. Simulations showed that stress concentration occurs on the interface between the aggregate and the main material. The greater the elasticity modulus difference between the aggregate and the main material, the larger the residual stress and plastic deformation.