Contingencies (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 02, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Contingencies
Accrual for environmental loss contingencies, gross	$ 33.5	$ 35.0
Accrued environmental loss contingencies, current	12.0	13.5
Accrued environmental loss contingencies, noncurrent	$ 21.5	$ 21.5
Steel manufacturers, number of manufacturers	8

CONTINGENCIES [Abstract]

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- Definition

Steel manufacturers, including Nucor, alleged by a plaintiff in a class action lawsuit to have engaged in anticompetitive activities with respect to the production and sale of steel.

+ Details

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- Definition

The estimated aggregate undiscounted amount of the accrual for environmental loss contingencies as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Statement of Position (SOP)
-Number 96-1
-Paragraph 161
-Subparagraph a

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 5
-Section Y
-Paragraph Question 1

+ Details

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- Definition

Carrying value of the obligation (known or estimated) arising from requirements to perform activities to remediate one or more sites, payable in twelve months or in the next operating cycle if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Statement of Position (SOP)
-Number 96-1
-Paragraph 161, 163

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 5
-Paragraph 9

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 20
-Article 5

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 43
-Chapter 3
-Section A
-Paragraph 8

+ Details

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- Definition

Carrying value of the obligation (known or estimated) arising from requirements to perform activities to remediate one or more sites, payable after twelve months or beyond the next operating cycle if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 24
-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Statement of Position (SOP)
-Number 96-1
-Paragraph 161, 163

+ Details

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