I-beams, whether standard or light, due to their relatively high and narrow cross-sectional dimensions, have significantly different moments of inertia along their two principal axes. Therefore, they can only be directly used in components that bend within the plane of their web or in components that form truss-like structural elements. They are not suitable for components under axial compression or for those that bend perpendicular to the web plane. This limitation greatly narrows their range of application. I-beams are widely used in construction and other metal structures.

Common I-beams and light I-beams have a relatively high and narrow cross-sectional size, resulting in a significant difference in the moment of inertia of the two main axes. This limits their application range greatly. The selection of I-beams should be based on the requirements of the design drawings.

When selecting I-beams for structural design, it should be based on their mechanical properties, chemical properties, weldability, and structural dimensions to choose a suitable I-beam for use.