Xu Xiaohe: Pioneer of China’s Rock Fragmentation
Xu Xiaohe is a pioneer of rock fragmentation in China and a professor at Northeastern University. For more than 60 years, he has devoted himself to mining engineering, laying a solid foundation for the development of China’s mining discipline, breaking through numerous technical challenges in rock fragmentation, and cultivating generations of mining professionals with the spirit of “May 4th Coal”.
Patriotism: Responding to the Nation’s Call without Regret
In 1950, 17-year-old Xu Xiaohe left his hometown for further study in Northeast China. When the newly founded China was in urgent need of mining talents, he gave up his favorite mechanical and electrical major and transferred to coal mining without hesitation, saying firmly, “I will go wherever the country needs me.” He was one of the 107 young students who chose the arduous mining career for national construction.
During internships at Jixi Coal Mine and Fushun West Open-pit Mine, he operated heavy rock drills under harsh underground conditions. The tough experience strengthened his determination to develop China’s independent mining technology and end reliance on foreign engineers.
Academic Pioneering: Opening a New Era of Rock Fragmentation
Xu Xiaohe pioneered the study of rock fragmentation, a once blank field in China. He proposed the rock classification method based on drilling specific energy, which filled domestic gaps and guided engineering practices.
In 1984, he published Rock Fragmentation, the first systematic monograph on rock fragmentation theory in China, hailed as “opening a new era of rock fragmentation science in China”. He has authored or co-authored more than 10 books including Drilling and Blasting, On Rock Classification in China, and published over 200 academic papers. He established the calculation model of force and efficiency for percussive drilling systems, making outstanding contributions to mining research and education.
He took delight in scientific exploration and cultivated an aesthetic view of science. After retirement, he spent over 20 years studying the relationship among science, education and aesthetics, advocating that researchers should discover beauty in science and stay free from utilitarianism.
Education: Inheriting the Noble Virtue of a Mentor
Xu Xiaohe stuck to teaching and research for decades. His lectures combined complex theories with engineering practices, making abstract knowledge vivid and easy to understand. He supervised students personally in experiments, requiring strict attention to details and encouraging innovative thinking.
He emphasized hands-on ability, guiding students to build experimental equipment such as preamplifiers to help them grasp internal principles and ensure data accuracy. With great foresight, he proposed intelligent mining as a future trend decades ago, supporting the construction of a cloud platform for mine disaster warning at Northeastern University.
His dedication has helped Northeastern University’s mining engineering discipline maintain a leading academic position worldwide, with continuous inheritance and innovation in rock fragmentation and rock damage research.
Profile
- Birth
- August 1933 in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province
- Education & Career
- Graduated from the Mining Department of Northeast Institute of Technology (now Northeastern University) with a master’s degree in 1957 and then taught there; Promoted to professor in 1981
- Research Specialties
- Drilling, blasting and rock fragmentation
| Category | Awards & Positions | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Honorary Title | National Young and Middle-aged Expert with Outstanding Contributions | 1984 |
| Honorary Title | National Model Worker in Metallurgical Education | 1986 |
| Academic Position | Member of the Academic Degrees Committee of the State Council | – |
| Academic Position | Member of National Natural Science Foundation Evaluation Panel | – |
“Those engaged in scientific research should take unlocking the mysteries of nature as beauty, creating marvels as joy, and benefiting the people as their aspiration.”
— Xu Xiaohe (Over 90 years old)
His life-long dedication has become a shining example of serving the country through education and scientific research.