3D woven composite reinforcements preforming simulations are an unavoidable step of composite part processing. The present paper deals with thick composite fabric behavior modelling and issues arising during the numerical simulation of preforming. After the description of the independent deformation modes of initially orthotropic reinforcements, a physically motivated and invariant based hyperelastic strain energy density is introduced. This constitutive law is used to show the limitations of a classical finite element formulation in 3D fabric simulations. Tension locking is highlighted in bias extension tests and a reduced integration hexahedral finite element with specific physical hourglass stabilization is proposed. Instabilities due to the highly anisotropic behavior law, witnessed in bending dominated situations, are exposed and a stabilization procedure is initiated.