A method of constructing a building includes constructing a vertical support core of the building, and attaching a climbing rail to an exterior of the vertical support core. The climbing rail includes holes spaced vertically. A first floor plate is constructed around a periphery of the vertical support core, at a ground elevation, and includes at least one connecting rail having vertically spaced holes. A climbing jack is attached to the climbing rail, and moved vertically upward on the climbing rail to raise the first floor plate to a first floor final elevation. The first floor plate is permanently attached to the climbing rail at the first floor final elevation by inserting a pin through aligned holes in the connecting rail and the climbing rail.

A lifting and jacking apparatus including a void former configured for embedment in a concrete slab before pouring of the concrete slab and a lifting bail removably insertable in and securely attachable to the void former. The void former includes a built in jacking screw configured to assist in adjusting the height of the concrete slab.

A floor plate assembly system for a top-down construction process includes an assembly pad formed around a vertical support core of the building. The assembly pad includes a top surface disposed at a ground level elevation of the building, and covers a footprint of the building. A plurality of tie-downs are attached to the assembly pad. A plurality of jack pedestals is positioned on the assembly pad, and are operable to support the floor plate, and raise and lower the floor plate relative to the assembly pad. Camber may be introduced into selective frame members by restraining the frame member to the tie-downs and extending a respective jack pedestal. The floor plates may be raised in their entirety to a work height with the jack pedestals to allow workers easy access to an underside of the plate.

A floor plate assembly system for a top-down construction process includes an assembly pad formed around a vertical support core of the building. The assembly pad includes a top surface disposed at a ground level elevation of the building, and covers a footprint of the building. A plurality of tie-downs are attached to the assembly pad. A plurality of jack pedestals is positioned on the assembly pad, and are operable to support the floor plate, and raise and lower the floor plate relative to the assembly pad. Camber may be introduced into selective frame members by restraining the frame member to the tie-downs and extending a respective jack pedestal. The floor plates may be raised in their entirety to a work height with the jack pedestals to allow workers easy access to an underside of the plate.

A building elevation system having a load distributing apparatus and a lifting apparatus. The load distributing apparatus can support a roof assembly and include one or more load segments. The lifting apparatus can be removably coupled to the load distributing apparatus and move the load distributing apparatus from a first position to a second position. The lifting apparatus can include a base portion, a hydraulic cylinder having a first end and a second end, and a lifting frame. The first end of the hydraulic cylinder is pivotably connected to the base portion and the second end of the hydraulic cylinder is pivotably connected to the lifting frame. The load distributing apparatus can include one or more additional elements, including but not limited to a slidable extension portion. The load distributing apparatus can have a step down member to couple a plurality of load segments at different planes.

A lifting and jacking apparatus including a void former configured for embedment in a concrete slab before pouring of the concrete slab and a lifting bail removably insertable in and securely attachable to the void former. The void former includes a built in jacking screw configured to assist in adjusting the height of the concrete slab.

A method of constructing a building includes constructing a vertical support core of the building, and attaching a climbing rail to an exterior of the vertical support core. The climbing rail includes holes spaced vertically. A first floor plate is constructed around a periphery of the vertical support core, at a ground elevation, and includes at least one connecting rail having vertically spaced holes. A climbing jack is attached to the climbing rail, and moved vertically upward on the climbing rail to raise the first floor plate to a first floor final elevation. The first floor plate is permanently attached to the climbing rail at the first floor final elevation by inserting a pin through aligned holes in the connecting rail and the climbing rail.

A staircase assembly is installed in a multi-story building, including first and second flights of stairs that are hingably coupled to a landing, and a plurality of vertically-oriented columns coupled to the landing. The staircase assembly is assembled into a first liftable floor plate, and is disposed in a folded arrangement when the liftable floor plate is positioned at an assembly level elevation. The staircase assembly is disposed in an unfolded arrangement when the first liftable floor plate is positioned at a first design level elevation and a second liftable floor plate that is positioned at a second design level elevation below the first liftable floor plate.

An entertainment structure includes an offset core, a floor tying assembly and a plurality of floor plate assemblies. The plurality of floor plate assemblies each include a first edge and a second edge. The first edge of each of the plurality of floor plate assemblies is configured to be coupled to the offset core and the second edge of each of the plurality of floor plate assemblies is configured to be coupled to the floor tying assembly.

A method for lifting and supporting above ground a concrete slab foundation employing hydraulic jacks includes installing piers in the ground, each with a pier extension protruding above ground. A lifting assembly is placed over each pier extension, the lifting assembly having a lift sleeve and upward extending lifting members. Then the slab foundation is poured, bonding a portion of the lifting assembly in concrete. After the slab foundation hardens, a jack is positioned on top of the pier extension, and lifting arms of the jack engage the lifting members. The jack is actuated to exert an upward force on the lifting assembly to lift the slab foundation above the ground. Then, the lift sleeve is rigidly secured to the pier extension, allowing the jack and lifting arms to be removed.