Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012
Net sales	$ 1,682,891	$ 1,749,515
Costs and expenses:
Cost of goods sold	1,501,798	1,562,850
Selling, general and administrative expenses	114,463	124,609
Interest expense	19,578	17,024
Gain on sale of cost method investment	0	(26,088)
Total costs and expenses	1,635,839	1,678,395
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes	47,052	71,120
Income taxes	15,091	22,189
Earnings from continuing operations	31,961	48,931
Earnings from discontinued operations before income taxes	22,845	1,250
Income taxes	8,887	462
Earnings from discontinued operations	13,958	788
Net earnings	45,919	49,719
Less net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	2
Net earnings attributable to CMC	$ 45,919	$ 49,717
Basic earnings per share attributable to CMC:
Earnings from continuing operations	$ 0.27	$ 0.42
Earnings from discontinued operations	$ 0.12	$ 0.01
Net earnings	$ 0.39	$ 0.43
Diluted earnings per share attributable to CMC:
Earnings from continuing operations	$ 0.27	$ 0.42
Earnings from discontinued operations	$ 0.12	$ 0.00
Net earnings	$ 0.39	$ 0.42
Cash dividends per share	$ 0.12	$ 0.12
Average basic shares outstanding	117,070,499	116,336,504
Average diluted shares outstanding	118,156,611	117,093,627