Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 29, 2012	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 29, 2012
Net sales	$ 1,729,674	$ 1,956,744	$ 3,518,900	$ 3,943,564
Costs and expenses:
Cost of goods sold	1,588,016	1,773,966	3,188,343	3,588,250
Selling, general and administrative expenses	115,844	123,891	241,825	250,412
Gain on sale of cost method investment	0	0	(26,088)	0
Interest expense	16,490	16,043	33,514	32,340
Total costs and expenses	1,720,350	1,913,900	3,437,594	3,871,002
Earnings from continuing operations before taxes	9,324	42,844	81,306	72,562
Income taxes (benefit)	4,717	15,015	27,232	(80,312)
Earnings from continuing operations	4,607	27,829	54,074	152,874
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations before taxes	(46)	1,794	342	(25,209)
Income taxes (benefit)	(16)	770	120	(8,924)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	(30)	1,024	222	(16,285)
Net earnings	4,577	28,853	54,296	136,589
Less net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	2	2
Net earnings attributable to CMC	$ 4,577	$ 28,853	$ 54,294	$ 136,587
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to CMC:
Earnings from continuing operations	$ 0.04	$ 0.24	$ 0.47	$ 1.32
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ 0.01	$ 0.00	$ (0.14)
Net earnings	$ 0.04	$ 0.25	$ 0.47	$ 1.18
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to CMC:
Earnings from continuing operations	$ 0.04	$ 0.24	$ 0.46	$ 1.31
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ 0.01	$ 0.00	$ (0.14)
Net earnings	$ 0.04	$ 0.25	$ 0.46	$ 1.17
Cash dividends per share	$ 0.12	$ 0.12	$ 0.24	$ 0.24
Average basic shares outstanding	116,586,100	115,703,142	116,461,302	115,616,844
Average diluted shares outstanding	117,573,052	116,843,456	117,333,339	116,646,469