Projection of the demand of construction materials in Colombia through the analysis of materials flows and systems dynamic

Abstract

This article provides an estimation of the future demand of construction materials in Colombia and necessary minerals to produce them by using systems dynamic and analysis of materials flows. Through the analysis of materials flows the amount of minerals required for the production of cement and concrete are determined. Required production of cement and concrete is estimated through a model of systems dynamic, which is adjusted with data from DANE construction census. Results indicate that, disregarding the secondary offer of materials, 176.9 million tons of ground aggregates, river sand, gray cement, dead rock, and cooked ceramic would be required. Manufacture of cement and concrete would require 15.4 million tons of lime, 14.9 million tons of gravel, 14.1 million tons of gypsum, and 13.3, 9.7, and 9.3 million tons of clay, iron minerals, and sand, respectively.