<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-01-26</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000097472</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TEXAS INDUSTRIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>TXI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000806636</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LONGLEAF PARTNERS FUNDS TRUST</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O SOUTHEASTERN ASSET MANAGEMENT</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>6410 POPLAR AVE, SUITE 900</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MEMPHIS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>38119</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-01-26</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>75000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>36.77</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3590320</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <remarks>This Form 4 is filed by Longleaf Partners Funds Trust, on behalf of Longleaf Partners Small Cap Fund.  As a result of Schedule 13D filings, Longleaf Partners Small Cap Fund may be deemed a &quot;beneficial owner&quot; of more than 10% of the company's common stock for Section 16 purposes, under rule 16a-1(a)(1).  As permitted by Rule 16a-1, this Form 4 filing shall not be deemed an admission that Longleaf Partners Funds Trust or Longleaf Partners Small Cap Fund is the beneficial owner of more than 10% of the company's common stock for Section 16 purposes.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Andrew R. McCarroll, Vice President &amp; General Counsel, Southeastern Asset Management, Inc., on behalf of the Longleaf Partners Funds Trust</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-01-27</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
