Fourth order wave equations with nonlinear strain and source terms

In this paper we study the initial boundary value problem for fourth order wave equations with nonlinear strain and source terms. First we introduce a family of potential wells and prove the invariance of some sets and vacuum isolating of solutions. Then we obtain a threshold result of global existence and nonexistence. Finally we discuss the global existence of solutions for the problem with critical initial condition I(u0)⩾0, E(0)=d. So the Esquivel-Avila's results are generalized and improved.