Balancing Divisi Strings

I wish to write extensively in divisi, but, am not sure, currently, on the balancing of them within the family, and with the orchestra.

So, to start, I want sections with these amounts

16 - 8 - 4 - 1  Violins I

16 - 8 - 4 - 1  Violins II
12 - 6 - 3 - 1  Viola
10 - 4 - 3 - 1  Cello
  8 - 4 - 2 - 1  Basses

Are they balanced as is as long as the columns are aligned?  That seems obvious, but say If I used

(8 Violins I) + (3 Viola + 3 Cello)

(12 Viola)   + (4 Violins I + 4 Violins II + 3 Cello)

Being that if Column 1 is used, then 2 of column two, or 3 of Column 3 must be used to balance.

Likewise, (Column 1 Violins), with (Column 2 Violins II, and Column 3 Viola+Cello)

Not considering the full orchestra, how appropriate is this way of thinking?  With instrument register in mind, would this system be flawed?

It's not that complicated. Strings are not like wind and brass where adding one or two players can make a big difference to the sound.  First, strings can play really very quietly indeed and the more there are the easier it becomes to do this.  Fifty players can be quieter than one soloist if they are all at a true pp.  Second, good players have a very developed instinct for balancing with the rest of the orchestra. They know to play down underneath anybody with a more important part.  So you can divide sections into almost any number of parts and the players will organise themselves to balance automatically as long as you don't do anything like pit one double bass against all the violins at forte.  You can have one solo cello at the same level as all the violins though, or just the first desk of violins and all the celli.  If you want one string section or sub-section to dominate a texture, just write them at a higher dynamic and keep the others out of the same register.

As so often, the best advice is to find scores containing what you want to study and listen with them.  IMSLP is your friend.

Great advice, and much appreciated, and understood!  Thanks!