This paper presents a modified and improved bi-directional evolutionary structural optimization (BESO) method for topology optimization. A sensitivity filter which has been used in other optimization methods is introduced into BESO so that the design solutions become mesh-independent. To improve the convergence of the optimization process, the sensitivity number considers its historical information. Numerical examples show the effectiveness of the modified BESO method in obtaining convergent and mesh-independent solutions. A study of the effects of various BESO parameters on the solution is then conducted to determine the appropriate values for these parameters.