BUSINESSES HELD FOR SALE, DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND DISPOSITIONS (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2014 Howell	Feb. 28, 2014 Howell	Nov. 30, 2013 Howell	Aug. 31, 2014 Howell	Nov. 30, 2012 CMCS	Aug. 31, 2012 CMCS	Nov. 30, 2012 Trinecke Zelezarny	Aug. 31, 2013 Trinecke Zelezarny	Aug. 31, 2012 Fabrication shop in Germany	Aug. 31, 2012 Previously joist and deck operations properties
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Assets of businesses held for sale	$ 0	$ 43,168,000
Severance expense	3,700,000	6,100,000	25,600,000						18,000,000
Pre-tax gain							23,800,000		13,800,000
Business divestiture disposal price				1,100,000		58,500,000		3,900,000		29,000,000		11,300,000
Escrow receivable				3,200,000			3,200,000
Working capital adjustment					3,000,000
Percentage of ownership before transaction										11.00%
Pretax gain on disposal, continuing operations											$ 26,100,000	$ (3,800,000)
Number of Properties Sold During Period													2