Unconventional elastomeric isolators reinforced with engineered plastic plates: compressive failure analysis

•Unconventional Engineered-Plastic-Plate Reinforced Elastomeric Isolators (EPPREIs).•Compressive failure analysis of EPPREIs and evidence of various failure types.•Analytical solutions to stresses and to compression and bending moduli of EPPREIs.•Compressive strength prediction equations associated with various types of failure.•Failure domains based on shear bond strength/plate strength for cost-effective design.