Abaqus Solid Composite Layup Question

[VN1981]

Hello,
I am trying to get better clarity on creating a solid composite layup...especially on how to assign ply thicknesses and how they correlate to elemental thickness.

Lets say I have a plate of dimensions (L x W x t) 10 x 2.5 x 1 (inches). I have 4 plies in this plate at orientation (0/90/-45-+45). This laminate would be impossible because each ply thickness has to be 0.25"...LOL, but for simplicity of calculation let us assume that such a laminate does exist.

From Abaqus CAE's User Guide Sec 12.4.4, this is what is given for defining Elemental thickness using the composite layup editor

Element Relative Thickness

The relative ply thickness.

For solid elements Abaqus determines the thickness from the part geometry, and the thickness may vary through the model for a given layup. Hence, the thickness values that you specify are only relative thicknesses for each ply. The actual thickness of a ply is the element thickness times the fraction of the total thickness that is accounted for by each ply. You do not have to use physical units to specify the thickness ratios for the plies, and the sum of the ply relative thicknesses does not have to add to one.

If my understanding is correct then, the ply thickness should be defined as the ratio of elemental thickness; in the case of the above example, it would be 0.25. This is assuming that I mesh the solid thickness using 1 element.

Now what if I want to mesh the thickness of the above solid element with 5 elements. Then each elemental thickness would be 1/5 = 0.2 inches. So each of my ply definition would have to be 0.25/0.2 = 1.25.

Now, I don't think the above practice is recommended i.e. defining more number of elements than plies but I just want to confirm that my interpretation of Abaqus solid layup calculation procedure is correct.

Also, I would appreciate any pointers from experienced folks on how you users handle solid layup definition if when needed...kinda looking for best practices.

Thank you.