Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates - Additional Information (Detail)	6 Months Ended
Nov. 30, 2016 USD ($)
WAVE
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Cumulative distributions in excess of investment	$ 67,516,000
Unconsolidated Affiliates
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates	$ 62,742,000
Joint Venture Transactions \| ArtiFlex
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Percent of interest by unconsolidated affiliates	50.00%
Joint Venture Transactions \| ClarkDietrich
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Percent of interest by unconsolidated affiliates	25.00%
Joint Venture Transactions \| Samuel Steel Pickling Company
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Percent of interest by unconsolidated affiliates	31.25%
Joint Venture Transactions \| Seviacero
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Percent of interest by unconsolidated affiliates	50.00%
Joint Venture Transactions \| WAVE
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Percent of interest by unconsolidated affiliates	50.00%
Joint Venture Transactions \| Zhejiang Nisshin Worthington Precision Specialty Steel Co
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Percent of interest by unconsolidated affiliates	10.00%

This item represents disclosure of the amount of dividends or other distributions received from unconsolidated subsidiaries, certain corporate joint ventures, and certain noncontrolled corporation; these investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. This element excludes distributions that constitute a return of investment, which are classified as investing activities.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 225
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04(10))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03(12))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66011266&loc=d3e33918-111571

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