Note 17 - Business Segments (Detail) - Segments’ Revenues, Gross Profit And Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes And Earnings (USD $)
3 Months Ended
Nov. 30, 2012
Nov. 30, 2011
Revenues $ 1,369,204,000 $ 1,517,603,000
Gross profit 114,866,000 119,942,000
Gross profit percentage 8.40% 7.90%
Selling, general and administrative expenses 63,699,000 69,477,000
Income (loss) before income taxes and earnings from unconsolidated entities 109,714,000 68,382,000
Power [Member]
   
Revenues 383,800,000 494,700,000
Gross profit 24,900,000 27,000,000
Gross profit percentage 6.50% 5.50%
Selling, general and administrative expenses 10,400,000 9,700,000
Income (loss) before income taxes and earnings from unconsolidated entities 14,600,000 17,600,000
Plant Services [Member]
   
Revenues 350,100,000 295,100,000
Gross profit 30,900,000 23,000,000
Gross profit percentage 8.80% 7.80%
Selling, general and administrative expenses 2,800,000 2,500,000
Income (loss) before income taxes and earnings from unconsolidated entities 28,200,000 20,500,000
E&I [Member]
   
Revenues 404,100,000 459,400,000
Gross profit 33,600,000 37,700,000
Gross profit percentage 8.30% 8.20%
Selling, general and administrative expenses 17,500,000 18,400,000
Income (loss) before income taxes and earnings from unconsolidated entities 16,300,000 19,600,000
F&M [Member]
   
Revenues 145,200,000 105,300,000
Gross profit 25,800,000 16,500,000
Gross profit percentage 17.80% 15.70%
Selling, general and administrative expenses 9,900,000 9,200,000
Income (loss) before income taxes and earnings from unconsolidated entities 15,800,000 8,500,000
E&C [Member]
   
Revenues 86,000,000 163,100,000
Gross profit (400,000) 15,300,000
Gross profit percentage (0.50%) 9.40%
Selling, general and administrative expenses 3,800,000 12,100,000
Income (loss) before income taxes and earnings from unconsolidated entities (4,800,000) 4,600,000
Corporate [Member]
   
Revenues 0 0
Gross profit 100,000 400,000
Gross profit percentage 0.00% 0.00%
Selling, general and administrative expenses 19,200,000 17,400,000
Income (loss) before income taxes and earnings from unconsolidated entities (18,200,000) (17,000,000)
Westinghouse [Member]
   
Selling, general and administrative expenses 100,000 200,000
Income (loss) before income taxes and earnings from unconsolidated entities $ 57,800,000 $ 14,600,000