Abstract
In this paper, we consider the stabilization question for a nonlinear model of an axially moving string. The model is assumed to undergo the variable tension and variable disturbances. The Hamilton principle is used to describe the dynamic of transverse vibrations. We establish the well-posedness by means of the Faedo-Galerkin method. A boundary control with a time-varying delay is designed to stabilize uniformly the string. Then, we derive a decay rate of the solution assuming that the retarded term be dominated by the damping one. Some examples are given to clarify when the rate is exponential or polynomial.