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Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Aug. 31, 2019	May 31, 2019
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates		$ 29,849
Distributions in excess of investment in unconsolidated affiliate		$ 123,401	$ 121,948
ArtiFlex
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Percent of ownership interest held in unconsolidated affiliates		50.00%
ClarkDietrich
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Percent of ownership interest held in unconsolidated affiliates		25.00%
Samuel Steel Pickling Company
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Percent of ownership interest held in unconsolidated affiliates		31.25%
Serviacero Worthington
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Percent of ownership interest held in unconsolidated affiliates		50.00%
WAVE
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Percent of ownership interest held in unconsolidated affiliates		50.00%
Distributions in excess of investment in unconsolidated affiliate		$ 123,401
WAVE \| Minimum
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
pre-tax gain expected to be realized from the transaction	$ 45,000
WAVE \| Maximum
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
pre-tax gain expected to be realized from the transaction	$ 50,000
Nisshin
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Percent of ownership interest held in unconsolidated affiliates		10.00%	10.00%
Impairment charge		$ 4,236	$ 4,017