Financial Data for Continuing Operations for Corporations Reportable Business Segments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 1,103,901	$ 1,082,249	$ 2,869,934	$ 2,695,014
Net sales	1,038,344	1,005,218	2,687,740	2,487,342
Earnings (Loss) from operations	240,355	179,498	511,867	342,052
Aggregates Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	976,119	903,940	2,478,326	2,180,424
Net sales	918,010	837,441	2,319,371	2,003,383
Earnings (Loss) from operations	214,585	180,794	444,281	310,431
Operating Segments | Mid-America Group | Aggregates Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	297,275	289,735	762,297	688,217
Net sales	275,791	265,653	708,151	632,772
Earnings (Loss) from operations	91,861	85,693	186,836	148,385
Operating Segments | Southeast Group | Aggregates Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	83,814	82,949	243,086	229,144
Net sales	80,044	78,283	230,005	214,536
Earnings (Loss) from operations	11,870	7,576	30,389	10,845
Operating Segments | West Group | Aggregates Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	595,030	531,256	1,472,943	1,263,063
Net sales	562,175	493,505	1,381,215	1,156,075
Earnings (Loss) from operations	110,854	87,525	227,056	151,201
Operating Segments | Cement
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	62,633	116,135	198,653	324,134
Net sales	60,090	110,519	189,754	307,489
Earnings (Loss) from operations	22,959	2,758	70,584	37,455
Operating Segments | Magnesia Specialties
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	65,149	62,174	192,955	190,456
Net sales	60,244	57,258	178,615	176,470
Earnings (Loss) from operations	20,378	16,996	60,170	53,537
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Earnings (Loss) from operations	$ (17,567)	$ (21,050)	$ (63,168)	$ (59,371)