CIVE 105Mechanics 2
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Engineering
- Subject
- Civil Engineering
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 4 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
Distributed forces, centroids, and moment of inertia. Basic structural analysis (plane trusses, frames, machines). Three-dimensional force systems, moments, couples, and resultants. Three-dimensional equilibrium problems. Stress-strain-temperature relationships. Behaviour of members in tension, compression, and bending. Friction.
Prerequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Must have completed the following:
- CIVE104 - Mechanics 1 (0.25)
- Students must be in level 1B or higher
- Enrolled in H-Civil Engineering, H-Environmental Engineering, or H-Geological Engineering
- Must have completed the following:
Antirequisites
Leads to
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 4678 | 0 / 150 | TTh 14:30–15:50 TTh 14:30–15:50 Jan 14 11:30–12:20 Jan 28 11:30–12:20 Mar 11 11:30–12:20 |
| LEC 701 | 1896 | 0 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
| TUT 101 | 4679 | 0 / 50 | F 14:30–15:20 F 14:30–15:20 |
| TUT 102 | 4685 | 0 / 50 | F 14:30–15:20 F 14:30–15:20 |
| TUT 103 | 4686 | 0 / 50 | F 14:30–15:20 F 14:30–15:20 |
| TST 201 | 5078 | 0 / 150 | Feb 26 14:30–16:20 |
Reviewed on UW Flow
82% liked it51% easy95% useful
From 79 ratings and 12 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
This course is incredibly foundational to your knowledge as a civil engineer. I was scared because the previous mechanics course was poorly organized and very convoluted. My prof for this course spent the first week teaching us what we should have learned in the prerequisite. Regardless, this course has so far been my favourite of my degree. The concepts aren't the easiest to understand, but my prof was very thorough with his examples.
Apr 2023 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Wei Chai is goated and a great professor. Final exam was adjusted/curved so getting an 100 in the course was very possible (I feel like one of the questions was impossible though), there is a few opportunites for bonus points too in the course assignments and midterm. Midterm is very easy if you study and do the practice exams, very fair class, put in time and you will succeed. If you dont, it can be rough. A lot of intresting concepts and useful things especially in the second half (second half harder thou).
May 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Joyce Kim made the course so boring
Jul 2025 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
Much better than CIVE 104. Wei Chau GOAT
Apr 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
I LOVE WEI CHAU. Definently need to lock in for his lectures but they are so useful!! Assignments are kinda hard but answers are given to check your answers before you submit (just have to show your work). Exams are similar to assignments (and he posts so many practice ones).
May 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
15 posts and comments in 14 threads mention CIVE 105, March 2016 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Spring 2022
Tutor for AE/CIVE 105 0 points, 1 comment
Spring 2021
A Retrospective on Online First Year Civil Engineering 51 points, 29 comments
u/Intense_Stare: “… CIVE 105 Mechanics 2 (Wei-Chau Xie) Summary: “Did you not learn this is Mechanics 1?” - Wei Evaluation Breakdown: \- 8 assignments (difficult questions but answers given) \- 2 exams (oh shit oh shit oh fuck what is that truss) Challenging course but you actually learn statics …”
Fall 2020
CIVE 105 Tips? 1 point, 2 comments
u/Rb_02: “I struggled in my 104 course but I understand the basics. My prof for 105 is wei chau xie and I'm not sure if I should be stressed. There are mixed opinions about him and I am starting to panic because I found 104 difficult so I don't know what to expect from this course. …”
Statics and Mechanics of Materials Textbook use 0 points, 4 comments
“So this is the only textbook I got (for CIVE 104) because I usually like to have a physical copy while working with physics related problems. …”
u/guacamole_ball: “Who’s the author?”
u/guacamole_ball: “ya u wont need it for future courses, just return it. Civils use a different textbook for mechanics which can be used for cive104,105 and 204. Unless they changed the textbook this year, u wont be needing the textbook u hav”
Spring 2020
Taking Courses (CIVE 265 & CS 115 Questions) During Co-op 2 points, 3 comments
“Hey everyone, I haven't been able to find a coop yet for Fall 2020 (surprising, I know) and because of that I was looking into taking courses over the coop, since it's all online anyways. …”
u/danishclarinets: “… Reviewing some chem and mechanics (mainly CIVE105) is helpful since that's what 265 builds on. …”
Macbook or Ipad Pro for Notes? 1 point, 19 comments
“This fall I’m going into civil engineering and i’m not sure what the best device for taking notes will be. i’m unable to choose between a macbook or an ipad pro. …”
u/c-kty: “IPad Pro with the pencil would be extremely beneficial for solving mechanics questions. Since you wouldn’t have to draw diagrams by hand (just copy them into a blank page), and you’ll be able to …”
u/c-kty: “For CIVE 105 (1B), I did my assignments on notability, converted the notes into a pdf and printed them out. Wei Chau (the prof) is cool with that.”
Civil Engineering professors? 2 points, 3 comments
“I'm going into Civil Engineering first year. Can someone give me a brief description of the professors, their personalities, or what they like, stuff like that?”
u/MeinGottWasZumTeufel: “… 1B Wei-chau Xie (CIVE105) - Very nice, will answer any questions you have during office hours. Pretty good sense of humour, pretty good as a teacher. Very well-liked by everyone. Bob McKillop (CIVE121) - Bob is back. …”
CIVE 105 Tutor 2 points, 0 comments
u/Throwawayinthebin99: “Looking for online CIVE 105 tutor. PM if interested. This is the only course for which I can't find indian guys on youtube”
Fall 2019
When do you write make up exams 2 points, 1 comment
u/albuspercivalwulfic: “Recently deferred CHE102 and CIVE 105 because I’ve been sick the past couple of days. Registrars office told me they’d let me know next week when I’d be able to write them. I asked around and everyone said I won’t write them until January second when the school opens up again... …”
Spring 2019
Hardest courses in civil 2A? 8 points, 2 comments
“CIVE204 Solid Mechanics 1 CIVE221 Advanced Calculus CIVE224 Probability & Statistics CIVE241 Transportation Principles & Applications CIVE265 Structures & Properties of Materials &x200B; Also what …”
u/danishclarinets: “… The content isn't easy but in my opinion wasn't as bad as CIVE105. Rania is tough but fair on tests. CIVE221 with Potapenko: not a great lecturer. It was a little easier than Calc 2, though still the toughest course in my opinion. …”
Fall 2018
CIVE 104 Textbook 1 point, 2 comments
“Does anyone have a link to the online CIVE 104 textbook? If so, could you send it in the comment section? Thank you”
u/colaroga: “You mean the green hibbeler one? There is no online/pdf version since it's a custom edition made for UW CIVE courses... it's probably worth buying for $200 or used, since you will also use it for CIVE 105 and 204”
Spring 2018
Does anyone else hate when courses require you to pass the exam? 54 points, 30 comments
“I don't mind having to pass the weighted exams, because getting a decent grade on the midterms means you do have some wiggle room on the final. …”
u/colaroga: “yeah, cive121 cive105 and cive204 were like that. luckily I passed tho”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
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