Multiplicity results for some fourth-order elliptic equations (Q641640)

The author studies the following fourth order elliptic boundary value problem \[ \begin{aligned} &\Delta^2u+c\Delta u=\lambda h(x)|u|^{p-2}u+f(x,u),\quad \text{in}\;\Omega,\\ & u=\Delta u=0,\quad \text{on}\;\partial\Omega,\end{aligned} \] where \(\Omega\in\mathbb R^N\) is a bounded smooth domain, \(\Delta^2\) is the biharmonic operator, \(c\) is a constant, \(1<p<2\), \(\lambda\geq 0\) is a parameter, \(h\in L^{\infty}(\Omega)\), \(h(x)\geq 0\), \(h(x)\not\equiv 0\), and \(f(x,s)\) is a continuous function on \(\overline{\Omega}\times\mathbb R\). First, the case \(\lambda=0\) is considered. It is obtained at least one nontrivial solution of the problem under some strong assumptions. Under weaker assumptions, the author proves the existence of a positive and a negative solution. Then, the case \(\lambda>0\) is treated. For \(\lambda>0\) small enough, the existence of four nontrivial solutions is given (two positive and two negative). Finally, the author shows the case in which a fifth solution exists, in addition to the previous four, which can change sign.