Financial Data for Continuing Operations for Corporations Reportable Business Segments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 977,298	$ 921,419	$ 1,766,032	$ 1,612,765
Net Sales	915,436	850,249	1,649,396	1,482,124
Earnings (Loss) from Operations	187,742	136,984	271,512	162,555
Aggregates Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	851,194	750,402	1,502,207	1,276,484
Net Sales	796,779	689,387	1,401,361	1,165,943
Earnings (Loss) from Operations	169,504	120,889	229,696	129,636
Operating Segments | Mid-America Group | Aggregates Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	278,676	257,649	465,023	398,482
Net Sales	258,988	237,415	432,360	367,120
Earnings (Loss) from Operations	80,552	66,894	94,976	62,691
Operating Segments | Southeast Group | Aggregates Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	87,600	81,518	159,271	146,195
Net Sales	82,676	76,483	149,961	136,253
Earnings (Loss) from Operations	11,548	4,818	18,519	3,269
Operating Segments | West Group | Aggregates Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	484,918	411,235	877,913	731,807
Net Sales	455,115	375,489	819,040	662,570
Earnings (Loss) from Operations	77,404	49,177	116,201	63,676
Operating Segments | Cement
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	62,468	105,899	136,019	207,999
Net Sales	59,791	100,405	129,664	196,970
Earnings (Loss) from Operations	21,309	22,468	47,626	34,697
Operating Segments | Magnesia Specialties
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	63,636	65,118	127,806	128,282
Net Sales	58,866	60,457	118,371	119,211
Earnings (Loss) from Operations	19,227	18,751	39,791	36,541
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Earnings (Loss) from Operations	$ (22,298)	$ (25,124)	$ (45,601)	$ (38,319)