Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets (Change In Net Carrying Amount Of Goodwill By Segment) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period	$ 1,836,294	$ 1,803,021
Acquisitions	2,986	14,841
Translation	(8,619)	18,432
Balance, end of period	1,830,661	1,836,294
Steel Mills [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period	268,466	268,466
Acquisitions
Translation
Balance, end of period	268,466	268,466
Steel Products [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period	799,060	780,628
Acquisitions
Translation	(8,619)	18,432
Balance, end of period	790,441	799,060
Raw Materials [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period	679,916	665,075
Acquisitions	2,986	14,841
Translation
Balance, end of period	682,902	679,916
All Other [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period	88,852	88,852
Acquisitions
Translation
Balance, end of period	$ 88,852	$ 88,852

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, which is the cumulative amount paid and (if applicable) the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, adjusted for any amortization recognized prior to the adoption of any changes in generally accepted accounting principles (as applicable) and for any impairment charges, in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in one or more business combination transactions.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph e

-Clause 1

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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 43

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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 68

-Subparagraph l

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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph e

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 34

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Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6905597&loc=d3e13816-109267

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 72

-Subparagraph d

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

- Definition

The aggregate amount of goodwill acquired in the period and allocated to the reportable segment. The value is stated at fair value based on the purchase price allocation.

+ References+ Details