IBHS researches ways to improve commercial building performance in high-wind events. Results of this research inform IBHS guidance on methods and materials for commercial construction.

In July 2012, IBHS conducted its first full-scale, high-wind test of commercial structures at its Research Center. The test compared and contrasted performance in high-wind conditions between two full-scale commercial strip mall-type masonry structures: the “common practice” test specimen was built using construction practices that were widely used and are still used in areas that are not following up-to-date code requirements for masonry construction; the “stronger” test specimen was built using current code requirements for masonry construction.