CHANGES IN BUSINESS (Financial Information for Discontinued Operations) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2017
Assets:
Assets of businesses held for sale & discontinued operations	$ 11,282		$ 11,282		$ 297,110
Liabilities:
Liabilities of businesses held for sale & discontinued operations	2,843		2,843		87,828
Income Statement Disclosures:
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	(3,389)	$ 9,325	5,021	$ 19,687
Income taxes (benefit)	(1,029)	1,626	2,052	4,059
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	(2,360)	7,699	2,969	15,628
Structural Steel Fabrication Operations
Assets:
Accounts receivable					38,279
Inventories					10,676
Other current assets					77
Assets of businesses held for sale & discontinued operations					49,032
Liabilities:
Accounts payable-trade					13,108
Accrued expenses and other payables					16,785
Liabilities of businesses held for sale & discontinued operations					29,893
International Marketing and Distribution
Assets:
Accounts receivable	6,954		6,954		106,905
Inventories	0		0		141,135
Other current assets	4,111		4,111		38
Property, plant and equipment, net	217		217		0
Assets of businesses held for sale & discontinued operations	11,282		11,282		248,078
Liabilities:
Accounts payable-trade	0		0		42,563
Accrued expenses and other payables	2,843		2,843		15,372
Liabilities of businesses held for sale & discontinued operations	2,843		2,843		57,935
Income Statement Disclosures:
Net sales	3,262	337,903	304,384	847,338
Cost of goods sold	4,233	312,917	276,371	784,836
Selling, general and administrative expenses	2,418	15,740	23,078	42,919
Interest expense	0	(79)	(86)	(104)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	(3,389)	9,325	5,021	19,687
Income taxes (benefit)	(1,029)	1,626	2,052	4,059
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	$ (2,360)	$ 7,699	$ 2,969	$ 15,628
Other Noncurrent Assets | Structural Steel Fabrication Operations
Assets:
Property, plant and equipment, net					8,800
Other Noncurrent Assets | International Marketing and Distribution
Assets:
Property, plant and equipment, net					$ 800