Hi folks,

This is my first time posting. I am helping a friend with a building project in Sonora Mexico and need advice about a scarf joint in a ridge beam. My friend has two 4.5"x10" Arizona black walnut beams. They are split from the same 9"x10" timber. My friend wants to splice these two beams together to span 19 feet between adobe end walls. The beam will hold 18 pole rafters and a thatch roof. The pole rafters are between 4" and 6" diameter salt cedars.

Is it possible to do a traditional scarf joint to join the two beams at the center of the span? If so, what type of joint would be best? Generally, what would you recommend for this scenario? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
David