Business Combinations and Dispositions - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) Terminal	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) Terminal	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)
Business Combinations And Dispositions [Line Items]
Acquisition-related expenses, net	$ 2,087	$ 26,118	$ 5,783	$ 41,178
California Cement Operations
Business Combinations And Dispositions [Line Items]
Description of discontinued operations			On September 30, 2015, the Corporation disposed of its California cement operations, which were reported in the Cement segment. These operations were not in close proximity to other core assets of the Corporation and, unlike other marketplace competitors, were not vertically integrated with ready mixed concrete production
Number of distribution terminals | Terminal	2		2
Proceeds from sale of assets			$ 420,000
Gain (Loss) on disposition of assets			(25,106)
Disposal related expenses	$ 3,603		$ 4,782
Texas Industries Inc.
Business Combinations And Dispositions [Line Items]
Acquisition date			Jul. 01, 2014
Total revenues from operations included in the consolidated statement of earnings and comprehensive earnings	290,918	273,573	$ 736,450
Total earnings from operations included in the consolidated statement of earnings and comprehensive earnings	19,698	18,755	53,635
Acquisition-related expenses, net	$ 1,663	$ 73,968	$ 5,259	$ 88,959