I wish to simulate a composite laminate with a piezoelectric patch bonded to the upper surface of the laminate. The composite laminate is meshed as a surface with a composite shell section and S8R conventional shell elements. The piezoelectric patch is meshed as a solid volume with a solid section and C3D20RE continuum solid piezoelectric elements. 

What is the best way to simulate in Abaqus/CAE a bonded contact between the laminate and piezoelectric patch considering that the laminate is meshed with shell elements and the piezoelectric patch is meshed with solid elements? Additionally, for simulating the bonded contact, do I need to have a separation between the laminate part and piezoelectric patch part in the assembly to account for half the laminate thickness when the reference surface for the laminate is the mid-surface? Thank you for your time.