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Operating Segment Information and Concentrations of Risk - Operating Segments and Geographical Information (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Mar. 31, 2016 | Mar. 31, 2015 | Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |
Research and development costs | $ 29.5 | $ 31.7 | $ 33.1
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 254.2 | 245.5 | 224.4
Asbestos adjustments | (5.5) | (33.4) | 195.8
AICF SG&A expenses | 1.7 | 2.5 | 2.1
Net interest (expense) income | (25.6) | (7.5) | (1.1)
General Corporate [Member] |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |
Asbestos adjustments | 5.5 | 33.4 | (195.8)
Value of Asbestos-related assets | 619.8 | 657.3 |
Asia Pacific Fiber Cement [Member] |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |
Research and development costs | 1.2 | 1.4 | 1.3
New Zealand weathertightness claims (expense) / benefit | (0.5) | 4.3 | (1.8)
Research and Development [Member] |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |
Research and development costs | 21.7 | 24.2 | 22.2
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 2.2 | 1.8 | 2.2
AICF Funding [Member] |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |
Net interest (expense) income | 0.3 | (1.4) | (2.9)
Australian Pipes Business [Member] |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |
Gain on sale of business | 1.7 |  |
North America & Europe Fiber Cement [Member] |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |
Research and development costs | $ 6.6 | $ 6.1 | $ 9.6

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- Definition Comprised of changes in actuarial estimates received as of March 31 each year and the effect of foreign exchange movements in the asbestos related assets and liabilities which are denominated in Australian dollars. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The aggregate costs incurred (1) in a planned search or critical investigation aimed at discovery of new knowledge with the hope that such knowledge will be useful in developing a new product or service, a new process or technique, or in bringing about a significant improvement to an existing product or process; or (2) to translate research findings or other knowledge into a plan or design for a new product or process or for a significant improvement to an existing product or process whether intended for sale or the entity's use, during the reporting period charged to research and development projects, including the costs of developing computer software up to the point in time of achieving technological feasibility, and costs allocated in accounting for a business combination to in-process projects deemed to have no alternative future use. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 730 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6420194&loc=d3e21568-108373 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 985 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6501960&loc=d3e128462-111756 + Details
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