Method for casting blocks having fractured face

A method of producing a plurality of cast blocks for building constructions, decorative panels and the like;

• each block having a substantially identical surface pattern on the face thereof to be exposed, the pattern taking the form of recessed lines impressed in said surface with the areas between said recessed lines having a random split appearance and contour, comprising successively filling a mold box having side walls and a bottom wall with a mass of semi-dry mix of the material from which the building element is to be formed, embedding the same frame in the material, the frame including a number of rigid interspaced elements, the center lines of which lie in a plane spaced from said bottom wall;
• compacting the mass of material with the elements of said frame embedded in the compacted mass so that a portion of the mass lies above said elements of the frame and a portion of the mass lies below said elements of the frame;
• then moving the frame and its elements relative to that compacted mass so as to randomly fracture the compacted mass in the space between said elements substantially along said plane, and removing the frame together with the portion of the compacted mass located above said elements of the frame to produce a pattern on each cast block wherein the fractured surface between said elements forms said areas having the random split appearance that is positioned between the impressed recessed lines forming said surface pattern on said exposed face of each of the cast blocks.