Environmental Engineering & Earth Sciences
Lawrence C. Murdoch
Murdoch
Professor
340 Brackett Hall
Clemson, SC 29631
lmurdoc@clemson.edu

Ph.D. University of Cincinnati, 1991, Geology
M.S. University of Cincinnati, 1987, Environmental Science
M.S. University of Cincinnati, 1983, Geology
B.S. Penn State University, 1980, Geology

Professional Registration: Professional Geologist, Indiana, 1992, No. 1421

Classes     |    Publications    |    Honors    |    CV


Faculty Overview
Dr. Murdoch’s teaching and research interests are in hydrogeology. He teaches an introductory course in applied hydrogeology, and advanced courses in the hydrogeology of U.S. aquifers and fractured rock hydrology. He also teaches a course in methods for analyzing geological processes, and he organizes the hydro field camp.

Murdoch’s recent research activities have included projects in environmental remediation, aquifer characterization, interaction between ground water and surface water, and effects of changing land use. He developed techniques for creating and applying hydraulic c fractures for environmental applications, and more recently he has been developing hydromechanical techniques for characterizing rock aquifers. Many of his projects involve innovative field or laboratory techniques with modeling coupled processes of flow, transport, and deformation. More info is available at: http://www.ces.clemson.edu/hydro/murdoch/Index.htm.

Class Information
For current syllabi, please search the Clemson University Syllabus Respository.

GEOL 408/608 Appied Hydrogeology
GEOL 415/615 Method of Analysing Geological Processes
GEOL 475/875 Hydrogeology Field Camp First Summer Session
GEOL 816 Aquifer Systems
GEOL 818 Hydrology and Mechanics of Fractured Media
Selected Publications

Svenson, E. T. Schweisinger, L.C. Murdoch, 2008, Field evaluation of the hydromechanical behavior of flat-lying fractures during slug tests. Journal of Hydrology, 359, v. 1-2. 30-45.

Murdoch, L.C., T. Schweisinger, C.O. Huey. A device to measure axial displacement in a borehole. Patent #7347003, Issued 25 March 2008

Murdoch, L. C., J.R. Richardson, Q.Tan, S. C. Malin, and C. Fairbanks, 2007. Reply to the discussion by Au and Yeung on “Forms and sand transport in shallow hydraulic fractures in residual soil. . Canadian Geotechnical Journal V. 44, n. 12.1476-1478.

Schweisinger, T., L.C. Murdoch, C.O. Huey. 2007, Design of a removeable borehole extensometer. Journal of Geotechnical Measurement. V 30 n. 3, p. 202-211.

Svenson, E. T. Schweisinger, L.C. Murdoch, 2007, Analysis of the hydromechanical response of a flat-lying fracture to a slug test. Journal of Hydrology, 347, 35– 47

Castle, J.W., D.A. Bruce, R.W. Falta, and L.C. Murdoch, United States Provisional Patent for Storage Cavities in Carbonate Rock, 7156579 B2, Jan. 2, 2007.

Harrar, W., L.C. Murdoch, B. Nillson, K. Klint. 2007. Field characterization of vertical bromide transport in a fractured glacial till. Hydrogeology Journal. 15: 1473–1488. http://www.springerlink.com/content/283h02817k231n5j/fulltext.pdf

Murdoch, L.C., J. R. Richardson, Q. Tan, S.Malin, C. Fairbanks, 2006 Forms and sand transport in shallow hydraulic fractures in residual soil. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, V. 43(10), Oct. 1061-1073.

Murdoch, L.C. and L. Germanovich. 2006. Analysis of a deformable fracture in a permeable material. International Journal of Numerical and Analytica Methods in Geomechanics, 30:529-561.

Ross, C., Murdoch, L. C., Freedman, D. L. and Siegrist, R. L. 2005. Characteristics of potassium permanganate encapsulated in polymer. ASCE J. Environ. Eng., v. 131. n. 5, 1203-1211..

Bradner, G. and L.C. Murdoch. 2005. Effects of skin and hydraulic fractures on the performance of an SVE well. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology. v.77, issue 4, May, 271-297.

Kelly, S.E., and L.C. Murdoch, 2003. Well tests for determining the hydraulic conductivity of a stream bed. Ground Water. v.41, n.4. p. 431-439.

Murdoch, L.C. and S.E. Kelly. 2003. Factors affecting the performance of conventional seepage meters. Water Resources Research. v. 39. n. 6, 2-1.

Murdoch, L.C. and W.W. Slack. 2002. Forms of hydraulic fractures in shallow, fine-grained formations. Journal of Geoenvironmental and Geotechnical Engineering. V. 128, no. 6, p. 479-487.

Murdoch, L.C. 2002. Mechanical analysis of an idealized hydraulic fracture at shallow depths. Journal of Geoenvironmental and Geotechnical Engineering. v. 128, no. 6, p. 488-495.

Freedman, D.L., L.C. Murdoch. T. Karanfil, T.A. DeVol, A. Schank, and L. Drumm. Evaluation of reactive barrier materials for in situ treatment of TCE and Technicium-99. WEFTEC, October 13-17, Atlanta, GA, 2001

Murdoch, L.C. and others. Remediation of organic chemicals in the vadose zone, in Vadose Zone, Science and Technology Solutions. Chapter 7. pp 948-1247. R.Falta and B. Looney eds. Battelle Press, 2000.

Awards & Honors

Board of Trustees Award for Faculty Excellence, 2008

Visiting Scientist, Geological Survey of Denmark, Copenhagen, Spring 2005

Board of Trustees Award for Faculty Excellence, 2003

Board of Trustees Award for Faculty Excellence, 2001

NSF CAREER Award, 1999, Hydraulic fractures at shallow depths

Board of Trustees Award for Faculty Excellence, 1999