CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Net sales	$ 7,039,959	$ 6,889,575	$ 7,656,375
Costs and expenses:
Cost of goods sold	6,344,300	6,227,238	6,939,748
Selling, general and administrative expenses	469,934	468,611	481,746
Impairment of assets	3,173	17,270	607
Interest expense	77,741	69,608	69,487
Gain on sale of cost method investment	0	(26,088)	0
Total costs and expenses	6,895,148	6,756,639	7,491,588
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes	144,811	132,936	164,787
Income taxes (benefit)	42,724	57,979	(45,762)
Earnings from continuing operations	102,087	74,957	210,549
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes	22,009	3,672	(11,906)
Income taxes (benefit)	8,544	1,310	(8,847)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	13,465	2,362	(3,059)
Net earnings	115,552	77,319	207,490
Less net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	1	4	6
Net earnings attributable to CMC	$ 115,551	$ 77,315	$ 207,484
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to CMC:
Earnings from continuing operations	$ 0.87	$ 0.64	$ 1.82
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	$ 0.11	$ 0.02	$ (0.03)
Net earnings	$ 0.98	$ 0.66	$ 1.79
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to CMC:
Earnings from continuing operations	$ 0.86	$ 0.64	$ 1.80
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	$ 0.11	$ 0.02	$ (0.02)
Net earnings	$ 0.97	$ 0.66	$ 1.78