The art and science of concrete construction has a very long history dating back to at least ancient Rome. Reinforced concrete construction has a much shorter history dating back only some one hundred years. Today we have many highly specialized and advanced techniques for making concrete. There is even a concrete canoe race held every year to apply new concrete technologies. In order to understand the basic principals of any technology, it is important to understand the terminology.
Cement is a powder and is the central ingredient of concrete.
Cement mixed with sand and clay is referred to as stucco for exterior use, yet, is called plaster for interior use. It can also be used to construct swimming pools. A wet, high pressure air applied mix is called shotcrete. However a dry, high pressure air applied mix is called gunite. The same basic mixture is also referred to as mortar in masonry block and brick work.