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The preforming of interlock reinforcement is analysed in the present paper. Interlocks are 3D textile reinforcements that prevent the delamination that can occur in the case of laminate composites. A 3D semi-discrete finite element that allows to model the deformation of an interlock perform is described. Each three-dimensional element contains some fibres that contribute to the element stiffness. The material parameters are identified from mechanical tests and the simulation is validated by comparison with experiment.